The trees at Independence Square in Victoria are in a deplorable state, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said this morning.

It said that although following the legal action it took, the planning authority declared it had no intention to allow the trees to be uprooted, an inspection by the former assistant director of the Environment Protection Directorate Alfred Baldacchino and international arbor consultant Ian Lansley revealed the deplorable state of the trees.

Mr Lansley reported  “serious and extensive damage” to the root zone placing the trees in serious jeopardy, not only from lack of water but also from high winds due to their instability caused by this root damage.

“The only imaginable reason for such negligence and damaging treatment can only be to cause the death of the trees in defiance of the court hearing decision that the trees are to stay.

“The way surface roots have been chopped off will invariably lead to the rotting of the root system,” FAA said.

FAA questioned what action was to be taken with the Victoria Council and the contractor who carried out the works in breach of the law.

It again offered the council Mr Lansley’s services to remedy the damage already done as far as possible and ensure the best possible conditions for the trees’ survival.