Montevideo Receives 10,000 Tree Complaints, Faces Emergency Calls

Montevideo, a city with over 200,000 trees, is grappling with a significant number of public complaints regarding its urban forest. Between January and May of this year, the Montevideo Intendancy received 10,014 complaints related to trees. These issues range from fallen branches and root problems to requests for the removal of deteriorating trees and pruning services.

While many complaints are processed through the Intendancy's Unit for Green Areas, a separate channel exists for emergencies. The Departmental Emergency Coordination Center (Cecoed) recorded 1,270 tree-related emergency reports from January to May. These incidents often involve trees falling on public roads, obstructing traffic, damaging property, and posing risks to citizens. January and April were particularly challenging, with 473 and 524 emergency reports, respectively.

Critics, like white council member Eric Spektor, argue that the Intendancy is often slow to act, leading to preventable emergencies. Spektor noted that many reported issues had been flagged long before they escalated into emergencies. The Intendancy's response to a request for information indicates plans for the year 2026, including 102 tree extractions and nearly 2,000 square meters of underground work related to roots. Additionally, three tenders have been issued for pruning and maintenance, with substantial funds allocated for these projects across different city areas.