Like all living things, trees have their own life cycle: youth, maturity and old age. In their prime, they provide shade, coolness, purify the air and decorate urban spaces. But as they age, trees weaken, lose strength, become affected by rot, fungi or bacteria, and the risk of falling increases.
In nature, dry trees become part of the ecosystem, providing shelter for animals. In cities, however, they can pose a danger to people, so decisions cannot be delayed.
Humanitarian Media Hub provides a retelling of an article by Enrique Báquero, a researcher at the Institute of Biodiversity and Environment (BIOMA) and professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Navarra.
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Invisible damage
Caring for urban trees requires responsibility. The problem is that it is not always obvious whether a tree is losing its strength. At first glance, it may look healthy, even though it already has cavities or fungal damage inside.
There are two main types of rot: brown and white. In both cases, the internal structure of the tree is destroyed, it weakens and becomes dangerous. Sometimes the true condition can only be assessed after cutting. A special device called a resistograph helps with this, which uses a thin needle to check the density of the wood.
Life expectancy of different breeds
Different types of trees live differently. Poplars and aspens grow quickly, but at around 50 years of age, they begin to age rapidly: their trunks rot, their roots weaken, and the risk of falling increases.
Even if such a tree has adorned a park for decades, there comes a time when it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, there is a danger that the branches or the trunk itself will collapse, injuring people.
Of course, cutting down trees can cause sadness among residents, as trees are often associated with memories and create the atmosphere of a place. But decisions must be made with safety in mind.
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Deadwood as a shelter for animals
Replacing old trees should be accompanied by new plantings, preferably of local species. This will not only help preserve green areas, but also enrich them for future generations.
Tree care includes sanitary pruning, reducing the height of dangerous specimens and, where possible, preserving hollow trunks as shelters for birds, bats or insects. However, where there is a risk to people, safety must always be a priority.
Why it is important to explain decisions
Urban trees are not just decoration. They lower temperatures, purify the air, reduce noise and create a pleasant landscape. It is impossible to do without them. But it is also impossible to keep dangerous trees.
That is why it is important to explain decisions transparently. If residents are shown that a tree that looks sturdy is actually dangerous, people will better understand the need to cut it down.
And if the felled tree is replaced with several new ones of different species, community support will even increase.
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People and nature side by side
The life cycle of a tree forces us to accept a simple truth: it is not eternal. It is born, grows, ages and dies. In cities, this natural process requires a special approach.
Responsible management of green areas means predicting risks, removing dangerous trees in a timely manner and planting new ones. Only in this way will parks remain safe, beautiful and alive – places where people and nature can coexist harmoniously.
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