Filenews 14 May 2021 - by Dora Christodoulou
The Green Service of the Municipality of Paphos and the Department of Forests carried out an evaluation of the poplar trees, genus Populus Alba, located on the Avenue of Europe and planted in 1998. The evaluation found that the trees had extensive drying and rot of more than 80% in each tree, due to an infestation by pathogens causing extensive tissue necrosis and it was therefore necessary to cut them.
A statement from the Municipality points out that the Municipality's Green Service and the Department of Forests did not proceed with the cutting of the trees during the winter months, waiting for the growing season of the leaves in order to determine beyond any doubt the condition of these trees, before deciding on their felling. It is noted that the choice, years ago, of this type of poplar for planting in this area was inappropriate, as this species needs high altitude, particularly wet soils and low temperatures to have healthy growth, which is confirmed by the Department of Forests.
The Municipality of Paphos, stressed in the communication, regrets this development, which was nevertheless necessary. At the same time, they planted 160 new pine, cypress, olive, carob and mulberry trees along the green spaces of Europe Avenue.
The Municipality categorically rejects the unsubstantiated accusations made from time to time by some populists in an attempt to create impressions under the "environmentalist" enclosure. It is normal in a city with more than 60,000 trees, for some of them to end their life cycle and be replaced with new ones, the municipal authority says.
"In recent years, the Municipality of Paphos has demonstrated its concern for the environment and the enrichment of greenery in the city," the announcement concludes. "To date more than 4,000 new trees have been planted, as well as many thousands of shrubs and flowers, while a much larger number of trees will be planted in the large urban parks created, such as the Paint Park and the two Linear Parks regionally of the city. The effort to enrich and maintain the greenery continues daily in all outdoor areas of Paphos, while more than 20 parks and 40 green spaces have been upgraded. Any bona fide citizen can see the results with a simple walk through the city."
