Horticulture dept to axe 10 dead trees in Cubbon Park

For the first time, the Horticulture department will axe 10 trees in Cubbon Park. However, these trees are dead, hollow and diseased. According to park officials, the trees identified for chopping are dangerous and can pose a threat to people as they can fall due to heavy rain and strong winds.

“The trees to be axed were identified by the Horticulture department, but the green signal was given by the horticulture committee comprising environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy and former additional director of the department S V Hittalamani,” said Mahantesh Murugod, deputy director, Cubbon Park.

Murugod said the department has identified 10 diseased, dried and dead trees near the Band Stand, Press Club and behind the PWD building. These trees are close to the road and walking tracks. On the suggestion of the committee members, a decision has also been taken to plant saplings immediately after the trees are uprooted and of the same species. Low-hanging and weak branches will also be pruned.

The trees which will be axed are gulmohar, mango, jamun, jackfruit and other native species. They have bacteria and fungal infection. There is root rot in some others. “Every tree has a life span. These trees are over 50 to 75 years old. They have become hollow and can fall any time. Thus, there is a need to bring them down. Normally, when a tree falls naturally, the logs are auctioned. But these trees cannot be auctioned as the wood is infected.

“Thus, the department, for the first time, has decided to uproot trees though they have not yet fallen,” he said. The city’s prime lung space is spread across 197 acres and has over 7,000 trees of varied species.