“Five years is a long time to be looking at a stump,” says Phibsboro resident Jonathan Healy. The council says it’s working on updating its tree strategy.
Roots breaking footpaths create dangers, and leaves overshadowing roofs prevent solar panels installations, among other issues, they said at a recent meeting.
It’s unclear how much it would have cost to get consultants to do it instead, because none would have the knowledge or access that residents have, said a council spokesperson.
Late last year, the council’s chief executive was quoted as saying he’d cut down every “roadside tree” in the city to mitigate the risk of personal injury claims against the council.
Ciaran O’Byrne, who roams the city releasing trees from the ties to wooden stakes that strangle them, mourns the deaths last week of Crumlin village’s cherry trees.
It’s clear that posher parts of Dublin have more trees and greenery, but why? And will it ever change? Dublin City Council’s working on a new tree strategy, so now’s the time to make your voice heard.
There are a few parks and leafy corridors along the canals, where people sit and play guitars and read books and drink cans on hot summer days like Tuesday. But much of the city is glass, brick and cement.
