It seems to be the norm all over Malta that when they plant trees they fasten the supports and plastic cable ties too tight. They have a tendency to attach electric lighting and other objects to trees and they are all strangling the growth of the trees.
For example, the new trees at the gardens at Spinola Palace all have eight of these ties around them. According to tree husbandry these ties should be checked every six months and loosened.
Hopefully this advice will be heard and care taken to look after these trees.