Cagliari, historic but diseased trees: "We're cutting them down."

Dry, diseased, old, and unsafe: one hundred and fifty-three trees are slated for removal because they are "dead on their feet." This is technically how trees are labeled that are at the end of their lifespan or so compromised that they must be felled for safety reasons. Pines and holm oaks are the main species, but also ficus and oleanders. After approval from the conference of services, the City Council is launching a plan to secure the Category D trees, those so damaged that they must be removed. They are mostly found on downtown streets, less so in the outlying neighborhoods: on Viale Trieste, Viale Calamosca, Via Dante, and Via San Benedetto, to name just a few. Often, these trees are very old: over 40% are over 50 years old. And they have developed over the decades in parallel with the transformation of the avenues and the city. These changes have often affected the tree-lined streets. "These trees are so compromised," and therefore dangerous, "that they must be cut down," explains Luisa Giua Marassi, Councilor for Public Parks. "They will then all be replaced with trees of the same species or, if necessary, a different species," she adds, perhaps because they are more suitable for an urban setting.

The plan

The demolition plan was initiated by the recently concluded conference of experts: a necessary and legally mandated step because of the 153 trees at risk of collapse, over 130 are located in areas subject to landscape restrictions. Therefore, the Superintendency's approval was needed to remove them. Now, having received the approval, the administration has authorized the removal.

"Just as we did with the pruning of tall trees," as in the case of Viale Merello, for example, "we had to complete the procedures to obtain permits," explains Councilor Giua Marassi. "This is because some trees are located along specific avenues and landscape restrictions must be respected," she adds.

You might think that trees are eternal, that the plants that create perfect vistas in the streets of Cagliari will never die. But no. The trees that fell in recent weeks, like those on Viale Buoncammino, did not fall within that critical level (D): it was the constant rains that weakened their roots and caused them to fall.

The replacement

The administration has already awarded the work to the company that has a contract for the landscaping. "These interventions are aimed at restoring the original landscape and securing the areas where the trees are located, which are highly exposed to traffic. This will involve removing Class D trees, eliminating invasive species, replacing dead vegetation to prevent uncontrolled tree falls, which could cause injury, and planting new native trees," the final act of the conference of services states.

Planting trees is important, as is creating new urban forests, but for a city like Cagliari, which boasts a significant historical heritage, it's even more so. Moreover, planting trees in the city is also effective in counteracting the effects of climate change. "We will be restoring some new trees very soon," explains Councilor Giua Marassi. "The City Council has approved several measures that will allow for the restoration and replacement of trees damaged by Cyclone Harry in the parks and affected urban areas."

Mauro Madeddu