Campaigners who thought they had saved the trees at Senglea Waterfront are dismayed at the damage caused to them by recent trenching works.
The fact is that in most roadworks in Malta, trees are seen as a last priority. All too often, they are damaged or uprooted altogether
Residents and activists had successfully opposed plans to remove the trees as part of the €1.8 million embellishment of Senglea Waterfront by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC).
Bowing to public pressure, the Infrastructure Ministry had announced in October that plans would be adapted to retain most of the fictus nitida and tamarix trees, which have adorned the area for generations.
But environment NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, which lobbied for the 44 trees to be saved, said that recent trenching works had been carried out so close to them that their roots had been flooded by salty sea water, sliced through and covered in cement.
“Will they be steady enough to withstand next winter’s gales?” FAA wondered.
When contacted, the GHRC admitted that some roots were sliced, adding that this could not be avoided because the trenching works had to be carried out according to strict road and pavement levels.
A GHRC horticultural expert acknowledged that the trees “have suffered a certain amount of stress”, noting that the ficus nitida and the tamarix were “very tough species”.
He denied that the influx of sea water would have affected the trees, pointing out that they were planted on reclaimed land and had their roots in saline water for more than 60 years.
Consultants from the GHRC and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority were monitoring their progress.
“They might look rather poorly at the moment but in time this will improve. The trees are showing signs of progress,” the GHRC said, adding that they were put under extra stress by recent bad weather when works were taking place.
In response, FAA maintained that far greater attention should have been paid to the trees.
“The fact is that in most roadworks in Malta, trees are seen as a last priority. All too often, they are damaged or uprooted altogether. This contrasts greatly with the approach taken by authorities abroad that impose strict guidelines to protect trees from trenching damage,” FAA said.
Antonio Anastasi, a member of the FAA Tree Group, said it was pointless saying the trees would not be removed if there was no obligation on the contractor to safeguard them during works.
“Unlike other more enlightened European countries, Malta makes no provisions for the protection of trees during the construction phase,” he said.
FAA is urging the public to sign its petition Stop Killing Trees in Malta, which had nearly 2,800 signatories on Friday, at www.change.org/petitions/stop-killing-trees-in-malta.