Updated 9pm with video showing birds struggling to find a rooting place

Environmental activists on Monday decried the removal of trees that have adorned the side of the Mosta Rotunda for half a century, providing shelter to pedestrians and a roosting site for birds.

BirdLife Malta condemned the "butchering" of the ficus trees that the Mosta local council - with the blessing of the Environment and Resources Authority - said will be uprooted and relocated.

But in a statement, ERA said ficus trees usually survive transplanting and this was the best time for them to be relocated. The environmental watchdog also noted that removing the canopy and the smaller branches ensured the trees' survival during transplanting. 

Mosta mayor and architect Chris Grech meanwhile told Times of Malta the 12 trees, which are being relocated to Santa Margerita area, will be replaced with indigenous ones. 

Earlier on Monday morning, BirdLife "pleaded" with the authorities to stop the work as at this time of the year thousands of White Wagtails (Zakak Abjad), Common Starlings (Sturnell) and Spanish Sparrows (Għasfur tal-Bejt) find refuge in the trees during the night when they roost together in safety.

"This is the only roosting site for White Wagtails outside of Valletta and the idea of removing them is wrong, while the timing is even worse."

NGO Malta Ranger Unit meanwhile called on the Environment Minister Miriam Dalli to safeguard the trees: "protecting the environment we already have should always have a priority over the manmade greening projects".

"This has been proven time by time to be the game changer for biodiversity! Stop these works now," it urged on Facebook.

Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Environmentalist and Żebbuġ councillor Steve Zammit Lupi meanwhile said that all Mosta council members had agreed to remove the trees.

"Unbelievable. These trees should be your pride. Why?! Shame on you ERA for giving the green light. Our trees are only protected on paper."

He insisted that the trees, having been on site - an urban zone - for at least 50 years, were protected.

Meanwhile, others drew parallels with refurbishment works in Paola that similarly saw the uprooting of old trees to the protests of many. The project had been inaugurated in 2018.

Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

'This is the most suitable time for transplanting'

In a statement, ERA said ficus trees are a hardy species that "normally survive transplanting" which is done at the appropriate time of the year: between November and February.

"For successful transplanting, trees need to be devoid of the canopy and the smaller branches to enable them to survive the move."

It said the permit was issued during "the most suitable period for transplanting" and acclimatization. And since winter has not yet set in,  roosting birds will be able to find alternative roosting trees until the new ones grow enough to have a hosting canopy.

ERA's permit for the uprooting of the trees obliges those behind the project to plant replacement trees that can grow a canopy that allows for shade and bird nesting. These include Holm Oaks and Judas Trees. 

The uprooted ones will be relocated to the Santa Margerita area in Mosta.

"There are instances where trees in the urban environment are required to be removed to implement urban regeneration projects, tackle damage caused by the roots of some tree species and allow the use of public open spaces in a more practical way.  

"We also need to consider that project proponents, who are often obliged by ERA to plant trees as part of their projects, are not discouraged from planting more trees... With careful planning, such interventions may be allowed in a careful manner and without resulting in a net environmental loss."

Ficus trees to be replaced with indigenous ones

Mayor Grech said that following discussions with ERA, the council had applied (EP01376/23) to "carefully uproot and transplant" the 12 trees.

The decision was unanimously approved by the council members 

Birds looking for their roosting spots at nightfall.

The trees, removed as part of the regeneration of the Mosta Square, will be replaced by indigenous trees Quercus (Ballut) and Cercis (Judas trees).

"Apart from the transplanting of these 12 ficus trees... there is a holistic professional landscaping plan for the area, including the plantation of various trees and shrubs in central strips and various trees also planted in large pots.

"All plantation is going to be complimented with an irrigation system. We have two large water reservoirs within the piazza periphery for irrigation purposes."