Spontaneous clear-cutting: threats and counteraction (Poltava experience)

There was time when Poltava was called “green”. Numerous trees grew along the streets, greenery was abundant in parks, bus stops, resort areas. Now the number of trees decreases with time. But are they really cut properly in Poltava? And what threat the absence of verdurization policy means for Poltava and its inhabitants? “Ekoltava” has tried to answer these questions in a newly emerged article. 

It is no secret that greenery qualitatively regulates temperature and humidity. It gives protection against sun during heat season and against winds during bad weather. Trees are shelters for birds and insects.

“In fact, urban trees provide ecological services at almost no expense, – comments arborist, expert in greenery care, Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi. – They are a qualitative supplement of town zones and adjacent constructions. Being utterly integral, they improve the image of the neighbourhood and the whole town“.

Now streets of Poltava are getting more and more devoid of trees. And it may negatively affect the environment.

“Chaotic takedown or non-professional pruning provoke sicknesses. That is – the decrease of ecological services quality. This in turn leads to continuous overexpenditure of tax inflow, as poorly treated trees dry off and require extra pruning, – accounts arborist, Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi. – Some tree species will never grow big enough, since climate change, particularly droughts, and summer temperature records, salinization of soils and their exhaust do not leave them a chance. It is especially true for limes and some maples. This is why tall specimens should be preserved wherever possible“.

At the end of last year Studentskyi public garden in Poltava was relieved of its tall trees. Aged specimens struck by mistletoe have been sawn away by communal enterprise “Decorative crops” and replaced by young saplings.

Was it really necessary?

“Unfortunately, there exists a myth that mistletoe is only defeated by taking the tree down completely. It is not true. All that is needed is qualified examination. And mistletoe is completely out in two steps. Surely it takes more time than a mere takedown“, – explains expert in greenery care, Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi.

Will the saplings strike root in Studentskyi public garden?

As to young plantations, Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi is in doubt, whether they all ecize, because thuyas require processed soil and proper planting procedure. Other young trees are also planted improperly. Some root collars are deepened, and this is not to be done. The procedure is specialized: tie-up, watering. Some trees may otherwise die out.

“Selective replacement had been possible. That is, cutting only trees under the threat of falling, – says Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi. – A tree with 60-70% degradation is not eligible to treatment. Some hollow trees may be left as is, only their crones are reduced or treatment is applied. They are potential shelters for birds and mammals, this feature is unfortunately neglected“.

What about verdurization policy in Poltava? 

Poltava has no specialized program that regards to greenery. 

“There were plans to develop the program of integrated verdurization, but before full-scale invasion only working group had been formed and one meeting held. Development of document, with strategy, principles and approaches to preservation and increase of greenery is still not resumed. Inventory of town greenery is also at a standstill“, – comments deputy of Poltava town council, Yuliya Horodchanina.

In Poltava there exists “Program for reconstruction, improvement and ordering of parks, public gardens, boulevards and other greenery zones and plantations in Poltava”, proceeds Yuliya Horodchanina, “but it has no analysis, justification, description of principles of verdurization, approaches, priorities, register of tasks, clear deadlines, responsibles, etc.” 

In 2023, around 7 million UAH was alloted for tree cutting in Poltava. Whereas refreshing of greenery together with stubbing got 1,5 million. So cutting trees has received almost 5 times more money than planting ones!

“7 million for cutting trees is a “damned” urban policy, – claims Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi. – Chances are high that most trees selected for takedown are in satisfactory or good condition. The selection is often done by unqualified employees with vague knowledge. They are unable to adequately estimate the viability and prefer to remain on the safe side. This is especially true for hollow trees, more than half of them still has robust structure. There are numerous qualified researches of the issue from abroad scholars“.

An image of “healthy” urban policy, resumes Volodymyr Vetrohradskyi, is a recurrent (and maybe public) inspection of trees made with experts in greenery and ecologists involved. The trees that may be professionally treated, whenever structural and physiological criteria allow to think so, must be put under care. Then goes respective redistribution of alloted funds. Any city or town has its own tricky spots, where planting and further care would turn out far more expensive than ordering or treatment of seemingly doomed trees. It is worth to be kept in mind. 

Anyway, urban verdurization should retain balance between cutting and planting. Moreover, there are trees of special value, their takedown is prohibited, since they have botanic, generic, recreation, and scientific significance, even when their stems are heavily damaged. There must exist peer-to-peer replacement: one cut tree – two or three robust trees instead, with guaranteed proper care throughout the period of establishment. Unless these requirements are met, a takedown is a loss for urban space.

Moreover, the proper approach depends on the whole part of town. There has to be enough trees, bushes, and herbage, which contribute to convenience of citizens and qualitatively supplement every single street. Experts in greenery could do the job.

Thanks to attention from publicity, the situation has changed a bit,.

While this newspiece was being prepared, on the 10th of March, a meeting of Landscape council has been held after more than six-month pause. The issue of verdurization was moved off the dead point, as well as in the agenda of town council meeting. Particularly, the allotment for takedown was reduced to 1,5 million UAH, whereas expenses at planting new and treating existing greenery were increased.

“Once there is planned to replace 50% trees in a park or a public garden, public discussion is compulsory (to avoid the experience with thuyas in Studentskyi public garden). 300 trees (and 140 bushes) are to be planted in spring. These numbers will surely grow during the year. Passports for greenery zones and inventory of greenery had been discussed. It turned out that passports were not reviewed for 20 years. Claims from citizens and deputies had been considered, about planting trees at definite addresses“, – writes on  Facebook deputy of Poltava town council, Yuliya Horodchanina.

“By the way, citizens can actively contribute to saving trees. Since takedowns are completed thanks to their taxes, too. So, when someone witnesses illegal actions (takedown of a healthy tree, violent pruning presented as rejuvenation, service of poor quality), one may interfere“, – says analyst, NGO “Ekoltava”, Nadiya Hroza. 

Saving trees in city / town / village:

1) take pictures, especially number plates – the space is public, the trees are communal property.

2) inquire after papers. Certificate of inspection of greenery, with required actions listed.

3) call the police, as you have become a witness of damage of your property and thus have the right to react to it.

4) compose a claim, where you state that you are a witness of damaging greenery, which is violation of article 153, Code of administrative offences (article’s name is “Elimination and damaging of greenery”)

We believe that Poltava will become even more good-looking, convenient and investment-attractive, when its citizens cherish urban trees, and local self-government follows the will of publicity and furthers strong policy of verdurization.