Zagreb residents question felling of 150-year-old oak tree

A large, 150-year-old oak tree on Dubravkin put in Zagreb has been marked with an 'X,' indicating it is slated for removal. The marking has ignited a firestorm of online discussion among Zagreb residents, many of whom are questioning the city's decision to remove mature trees.

One concerned citizen posted on Reddit, noting that while the tree appears "vital" despite a large cracked branch, the marking has caused alarm. They sought information on whether the city's greening service, Zrinjevac, or another authority was responsible for the decision and the reasons behind it. The post quickly garnered numerous comments from fellow residents who expressed confusion and frustration over the removal of greenery.

"So they're cutting down trees that might possibly be blown down by the wind? The logic is let's cut everything down so the wind has nothing to blow down?" one user sarcastically asked. Another resident echoed this sentiment, suggesting a "new policy in all cities" to remove green spaces without "any sensible reason." This user speculated that "individual interests" might be at play, "at the expense of the community, as is usually the case in our country."

Similar concerns were raised by individuals from other Croatian towns, who reported widespread tree felling with little to no new planting or maintenance. While some acknowledged the necessity of removing trees for safety reasons, particularly those near pathways, they lamented the loss of old, beautiful trees without attempts at preservation or rehabilitation. The broader implications of losing vital tree cover were also highlighted, with one user grimly predicting that only a "stronger cyclone" might make people realize the importance of trees after all the green spaces are paved over.

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