Our Wild Things columnist Eric Brown charts a series of shocking attacks on some of the planet's oldest wild inhabitants and suggests a course of action to persuade politicians they must always be preserved.

Trees are among the most ancient living entities on the planet and indisputably rank among the most useful.

An oak tree featured in the recent classic David Attenborough TV programme Wild Isles was referred to as being 'only' 700 years old. Trees have been utilised to build dwellings, furniture, utensils, writing instruments and a host of other things including navy ships and arrow shafts which once conquered Britain's foes.

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They act as nurseries for wildlife such as birds, insects and mammals and perhaps most importantly collect and store harmful carbon.

So you would expect these magnificent multi-purpose, life-giving, living monuments to be worshipped and revered. Not so.

As days lengthen and spring advances, war has been declared on our precious trees.

Plymouth is indelibly linked with wooden ships yet rich history cut no ice with city councillors who approved widespread clandestine tree destruction to make way for a £12.7million redevelopment of Armada Way. Yes Armada Way. You couldn't make it up. Contractors removed all but 19 of 129 trees on Armada Way at night to foil protesters. The council claimed the sycamores, rowan, maple, silver birch and pines had to go for redevelopment and because they obstructed CCTV. Is this really how we now value trees?

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The council-ordered vandalism occurred only days after Sheffield council was found to have acted dishonestly when it had hordes of street trees felled. In the Plymouth case its heavily criticised council leader resigned.

Yet still we fail to grasp what is most important. Cambridgeshire councillors voted to chop down 500 mature trees in an orchard so a bus lane can be built. The orchard, dating from 1922, produces 26 varieties of apples as well as plums and pears.

Cambridgeshire Council ignored expert advice and a 2,300-signature petition to approve construction of the bus lane which will cut an estimated three minutes off journeys. Seriously? Absolute lunacy at a time when orchards are disappearing along with wildlife which formerly thrived there like wrynecks.

Why do councils make these amazing decisions when top politicians keep stressing the dangers of carbon? Well of course trees don't vote.

But you do. Local elections will be held soon so quiz your candidates on their attitude to nature, redevelopment and what their party intends doing about guarding against wildlife habitat loss or restoration in your area.

Further reading: Collins Tree Guide by Owen Johnson and David More, published by Harper Collins, price £25.

Pocket Nature Trees by Allen Coombes published by Dorling Kindersley and the RSPB price, £7.99.