Fallen Trees in Rome: Alfonsi Addresses Storm Damage and Urban Green Management
Rome, January 30 – Heavy rain, strong winds, and rivers under observation characterized the past few days in Rome, leaving visible effects on the city’s arboreal heritage. Sabrina Alfonsi, Councillor for Agriculture, Environment, and Waste Cycle of Roma Capitale, provided an update, attributing the recorded tree collapses to a precise combination of meteorological factors.
Rain, Wind, and Saturated Soil
“The day of January 28 was marked by the simultaneous occurrence of weather alerts related to rainfall, strong winds, and emergencies linked to the flood level of the Aniene basin,” stated Alfonsi. This combination directly impacted the stability of the trees. “The heavy and prolonged rains caused a condition of soil saturation, which, together with the heavy weight of the canopies due to retained water, compromised the stability of the trees, especially large ones.”
Work of Recent Years and Avoided Damages
In assessing the effects of the bad weather, the Councillor also highlighted the work carried out in recent years on urban green maintenance. “I can say with certainty that without the checks, tree maintenance, and risk-reduction felling carried out in the last 4 years, the consequences of these atmospheric events could have been far more serious.” This statement underscores how preventive measures limited the impact of particularly critical weather conditions.
Pines and the Issue of Fragility
According to Alfonsi, the collapses primarily affected pine trees, reopening a topic already discussed in the city. “The collapses that occurred mainly involved pines. A thorough reflection is needed on how to reconcile the dual need to ensure citizen safety on the one hand, and on the other, to protect trees that constitute an important part of Rome’s green identity, and that contribute to cleaner air and a healthier city.”
Safety, Green Identity, and Future Choices
The problem, explained the Councillor, is structural and linked to the age and condition of many trees. “The facts are showing that these are trees that present worrying aspects of fragility. We can act by intensifying controls and care, as we have been doing since our inauguration. But it is necessary to start addressing the hypothesis that these trees, which often exceed a century in life, should be gradually replaced with new specimens, as recently hypothesized by authoritative agronomists and technicians.”
Ongoing Checks and Mandate Objectives
Meanwhile, monitoring activities continue city-wide. “In the meantime, we are continuing throughout the city with the punctual control activity that has already involved 270,000 trees, with the aim of completing all 350,000 public trees in the city within the mandate,” concluded Alfonsi. The issue of urban green remains at the center of the Capitoline agenda, suspended between increasingly frequent weather emergencies, daily safety, and the need to preserve one of Rome’s most recognizable features.
Source: https://urloweb.com/notizie/cronaca-di-roma/alberi-caduti-a-roma-tra-pioggia-vento-e-sicurezza/
