Italian officials tackle tree die‑offs and pest removals in Macerata and Ravenna

In the Macerata province, the regional agriculture agency reported an outbreak of the Asian longhorn beetle in the Collevario district. More than 400 trees, mainly lindens and horse‑chestnuts, are slated for removal within a 100‑metre radius of each infected specimen. The agency will replace each public tree with two native seedlings, funding the work itself, while offering discounted trees to private owners.

In the neighboring Ravenna area, environmental groups have denounced the rapid decay of thousands of newly planted pines intended as a compensation forest for a gas‑terminal project along via Trieste. The NGOs state, "Gli alberi, messi a dimora in periodo non consono, sono sottoposti a fortissimo stress che li mina da subito," and argue that the planting was a form of green‑washing, with trees treated as mere poles rather than living assets.

Both incidents highlight challenges in Italy’s urban‑forest management, from invasive pests to poorly timed reforestation efforts.