Novel benzyl ethers of cyclic 1,1-diols, of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is phenyl or substituted phenyl,R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl or --CHX--R.sup.1,X is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl,Y and Y' are individually selected from hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl and substituted phenyl andA is saturated or unsaturated alkylene or substituted alkylene;have been found outstandingly effective as herbicides, particularly as selective herbicides.