Felling a large tree is never easy, especially in the public sphere. The tree can in fact become a real “place”, evocative for people and a source of life for many animals (insects, mammals, birds) and fugitives . Often it is the very old trees, with large cavities and decay of the woody tissues, to be the richest and most interesting trees from all points of view. Unfortunately, they often carry with them intrinsic characteristics of mechanical instability that lead management bodies and arborists to make difficult but necessary decisions for public safety.

This is the case of the Catalpa tree known as “Keebler Elf Tree” , located in Tower Grove Park in Saint Louis, in the state of Missouri (USA) . It will be shot down due to stability issues. Tower Grove Park is the second largest park in Saint Louis and is part of the National Historic Landmark park network.

The park has therefore issued a press release in which it explains the reasons for the felling, describes the treatments and arboriculture interventions carried out in the past and finally invites citizens to celebrate the tree on a day dedicated to him, Thursday 9 June:

crafts workshops for families, artistic works and finally a toast are the organized activities to which all citizens are invited to say goodbye to the tree.

In our opinion it is a splendid example of communication on a necessary choice for the safety of the community that allows, until the end, to enhance the tree-place as a factor for meeting people.

https://www.towergrovepark.org/calendar/2022/6/9/catalpa-tree-farewell

Anthemis Environment Srl supports institutions and municipalities in the most appropriate technical solutions for the prudent management of their tree resources, with an eye to correct communication on safety and on the interventions necessary for the well-being of all, including trees.