Ficus Replacements In Mosta Topple Over Due To Strong Winds
The original replacements for the Ficus trees in Mosta have toppled over due to the strong gusts of wind taking over the island.
“Mosta square trees intended for nesting birds start falling on pedestrians,” Maltese journalist Gerald Fenech wrote on Facebook.
Fenech posted images of the trees lying on the floor of the Mosta square where they were recently placed for the birds that lost their homes when the Ficus trees were butchered.
He went on to claim that the Archpriest was discussing with the council about what can be done to prevent the trees both from falling on people entering the church and causing damage to the area in front of the church.
These trees were the intended replacement trees for the 12 Ficus trees that have lived in the Mosta square for decades but were scheduled for transplanting.
However, after public outrage and one big protest, the Mosta local council reverted its decision.
Nonetheless, quite a bit of damage had already been done with the trees being butchered and left as stumps in the area.
This consequently led to several disoriented birds who lost their place of nesting. So, the local council decided to put the potted Oak trees in the square and failed to remove them despite former warnings of an oncoming storm that has now hit the island.
Subsequently, the trees were unable to withstand the strong gusts of wind and they fell over.
The Oak trees were recently plastered with bright holiday lights which further aggravated the public because such bright lights and wires only disrupt the nesting birds.
Local figures like ADPD leader Sandra Gauci shared the images of these fallen trees with a tone of disapproval.
“Nothing more to add,” she wrote on social media.
Meanwhile, commenters under the original post have just repeatedly called the situation a “disaster”.
In the meantime, Lovin Malta has reached out to the Mosta Mayor for a comment.
Image credits: Gerald Fenech.
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