Italian towns confront municipal plans to cut historic trees

In Cadorago, a small municipality in the province of Como, a row of cedar trees over a century old that have been repeatedly poisoned is slated for removal. The local civic list Futura has lodged a formal inquiry and started a petition, demanding the full publication of technical reports and arguing that the trees, declared historic in 2016, serve as a climatic shield and a cultural landmark.

In Viareggio, the pine tree standing in front of the Basilica of Sant'Andrea Apostolo faces a similar fate. Michelangelo Jan Vecoli, the leader of the local group Fermi Mai, issued a formal warning to the city council, asking that any cutting be halted until the complete administrative and fitostatic procedures are verified, and until heritage‑protection authorisations are confirmed. Both cases highlight local disputes over the preservation of historic arboreal heritage against municipal decisions to fell the trees.