Italian towns remove trees amid safety checks and replanting criticism

In Peschiera Borromeo, authorities began an urgent phase of tree removal on Via Galvani, employing agronomists and ornithologists to inspect for active nests. The inspections, conducted both day and night, found only a single pigeon nest, which will be monitored, and the operation is presented as a model for future municipal tree‑management projects.

In Como, the removal of a tree line in Piazzale Gerbetto to make way for a pedestrian underpass has sparked criticism from local politicians. They argue that, unlike other cities that replace felled trees to combat heat islands and support biodiversity, the Como project failed to plan any replanting, prompting calls for better oversight of urban green‑space decisions.