I support the published criticism of Tauranga City Council allowing Bob Clarkson's financial situation to remove two beautiful pohutukawa trees from the city berm outside his Pillans Point home.

These magnificent trees enhance the street and do not appear to overhang Clarkson's pink palace.

And with proper husbandry the trees will cause no nuisance at all, despite their claims of allergies.

Just five years ago Mr Clarkson arranged to have two nice jacaranda trees ripped out and replace them with suitable pohutukawa trees.

Obviously this scenario establishes a dubious precedent, based on favouring the wealthy and ability to influence council.

Other citizens can't get these tree removal concessions from council, even in genuine cases of hardship.

T Fellingham, Tauranga South