A 150-year-old tree collapses in Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
Credit: Special arrangement
Bengaluru: A massive tree, estimated to be around 150 years old, collapsed in Lalbagh Botanical Garden on Friday evening, due to natural causes, marking the quiet end of a towering presence in the city’s green heart.
The tree, a Ficus cunninghamii, stood 70 feet tall with a trunk radius of approximately 12 feet, which had grown in two separate directions over the years.
According to horticulture officials, the recent spell of heavy rain contributed to the fall. The base of the tree, where the trunk had split into two main branches, gave way under pressure.
“There are no pest issues in Lalbagh, and all maintenance has been consistently carried out,” said a senior official from the horticulture department.
Despite its size, the wood from the fallen tree has limited commercial value. Officials confirmed that it will be repurposed as firewood.
The process of removing the tree is set to begin tomorrow and is expected to take three to four days.