Italian cities grapple with controversial urban tree removals

In Bari, residents reported a leaning tree on Viale Puglia that appears hollow at the base and threatens nearby traffic and pedestrians. Citizens posted the concern on social media, urging the municipal authorities to conduct a technical assessment before deciding whether to fell the tree. Some locals called for immediate removal to avoid a collapse, while others asked for a careful evaluation to protect the urban green space.

In Arezzo, councilor Francesco Romizi criticized the recent cutting of a large cedar tree, saying the lack of transparency sparked protests. He highlighted a prior popular initiative calling for citizen participation in tree‑management decisions and urged the municipality to publish technical justifications and develop a participatory urban‑green plan to prevent future conflicts.