Environment NGO condemns officially sanctioned tree vandalism
Fifty-year old trees in Senglea to be torn down for landscaping reasons and replaced by aggressively invasive, non-indigenous tree with toxic fruit.
Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation said the ficus nitida trees were being uprooted because their aggressive root system may damage the new landscaping" but water services survey revealed that roots are not causing damage beneath the waterfront.
The Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar Tree Group said it was concerned about the planned removal of some 38 trees at the Senglea waterfront, particularly after the destruction of trees at Mellieha Sanctuary and planned uprooting of trees at Kennedy Grove and in front of the Phoenicia Hotel.
While the FAA understands the need to embellish Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa, the FAA Tree Group points out that these trees are 56 years old, among the oldest trees left in Senglea.
A spokesperson for the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation told the FAA that the ficus nitida trees were being uprooted because “their aggressive root system may damage the new landscaping”.
However, the Water Services survey revealed that roots are not causing damage beneath the waterfront, the only open space that Senglea residents can enjoy.
“The beautiful mature trees to be felled have survived sea water, strong winds and sea spray for over 50 years, conditions that may have killed other trees, without causing any damage to either the infrastructure or the paving,” the FAA said.
The FAA Tree Group said it could not understand how such an investment is be replaced with Melia Azarach trees, an aggressively invasive, non-indigenous tree producing toxic fruit that creates slippery pavements when it falls to the ground.
“A tree that will need a good 20 years before the community starts benefiting from it. Who will pay when passers-by slip on the fruits? Who will take responsibility if a child or pet accidently ingests the fruit of this tree?” the FAA questioned.
The Local Council spent considerable funds to purchase and grow these trees during their first five years, constituting a significant investment which will be destroyed they are now are practically maintenance free.
The community has also derived major health benefits from the trees by way of the relaxation and peace of mind in the shade of these noble trees.
“Leaving these mature trees in place will benefit the Senglea Waterfront embellishment project by shortening the time needed to complete the works, resulting in considerable financial savings that could be used for other much-needed priorities.
“The Trees Group calls on the Authorities to re-think the uprooting of these trees that are so precious to the community and necessary to Senglea residents’ health,” the FAA concluded.
