City begins to remove historic pines after a string of collapses.Rome has started cutting down 12 pine trees in the heart of the archaeological area around the Colosseum after tests showed they were at risk of falling.The move follows the recent collapse of three pines, or umbrella pines, along Via dei Fori Imperiali, the grand boulevard that links Piazza Venezia with the Colosseum. The last tree to fall, on 1 February, injured three people near the Forum of Trajan and prompted the city to order the immediate closure of the road to pedestrians and traffic. On Friday the buzz of chainsaws filled the air as workers began felling some of the majestic trees that have lined Via dei Fori Imperiali for around a century. Following the collapses, the city council convened a technical task force which conducted "tensile tests" and stability checks on 36 of the area's 54 historic trees. Grim verdict The experts declared that 12 pines were found to have a risk of collapse "incompatible with public safety." Rome’s environment councillor, Sabrina Alfonsi, emphasised that even trees that appeared healthy from the outside showed critical instability in their root systems, exacerbated by decades of urban stress and recent extreme weather. The trees being removed include 10 on the left side of the road facing the Colosseum and two on the right. Authorities hope to partially reopen the road to pedestrians by Monday 16 February, once the most immediate threats are cleared. Why are Rome’s pines falling? The survival of the majestic trees is threatened by a number of factors, including age, climate change, parasites and urban constraints. Most of the pines in the Colosseum area were planted in the 1930s and are reaching the end of their natural life cycle in an urban environment. A cycle of extreme summer droughts followed by intense autumn and winter rains has weakened the soil and root anchors. The Toumeyella parvicornis (pine tortoise scale), an invasive parasite, has ravaged thousands of trees across the city over the last several years. Decades of roadwork, cable laying and soil compaction have restricted root growth, leaving the top-heavy giants vulnerable to high winds. Public safety and 'Pinofobia' The felling has sparked a fierce debate. While many residents and tourists expressed relief that the danger was being addressed, environmental groups have decried what they call "pinofobia." Critics argue that the city’s heritage is being sacrificed due to a lack of proper long-term maintenance rather than true necessity. In response, the city has announced a "replanting protocol." The felled giants will eventually be replaced with new stone pines of a "suitable size and age." The new plan also aims to improve the subsoil conditions to ensure the next generation of trees can grow more securely. After the partial reopening of Via dei Fori Imperiali on Monday, the city plans to reopen the street fully one week later, on 23 February.

Rome has started cutting down 12 pine trees in the heart of the archaeological area around the Colosseum after tests showed they were at risk of falling. The move follows the recent collapse of three pines, or umbrella pines, along Via dei Fori Imperiali, the grand boulevard that links Piazza Venezia with the Colosseum. The last tree to fall, on 1 February, injured three people near the Forum of Trajan and prompted the city to order the immediate closure of the road to pedestrians and traffic. On Friday the buzz of chainsaws filled the air as workers began felling some of the majestic trees that have lined Via dei Fori Imperiali for around a century. Following the collapses, the city council convened a technical task force which conducted "tensile tests" and stability checks on 36 of the area's 54 historic trees. Grim verdict The experts declared that 12 pines were found to have a risk of collapse "incompatible with public safety." Rome’s environment councillor, Sabrina Alfonsi, emphasised that even trees that appeared healthy from the outside showed critical instability in their root systems, exacerbated by decades of urban stress and recent extreme weather. The trees being removed include 10 on the left side of the road facing the Colosseum and two on the right. Authorities hope to partially reopen the road to pedestrians by Monday 16 February, once the most immediate threats are cleared. Why are Rome’s pines falling? The survival of the majestic trees is threatened by a number of factors, including age, climate change, parasites and urban constraints. Most of the pines in the Colosseum area were planted in the 1930s and are reaching the end of their natural life cycle in an urban environment. A cycle of extreme summer droughts followed by intense autumn and winter rains has weakened the soil and root anchors. The Toumeyella parvicornis (pine tortoise scale), an invasive parasite, has ravaged thousands of trees across the city over the last several years. Decades of roadwork, cable laying and soil compaction have restricted root growth, leaving the top-heavy giants vulnerable to high winds. Public safety and 'Pinofobia' The felling has sparked a fierce debate. While many residents and tourists expressed relief that the danger was being addressed, environmental groups have decried what they call "pinofobia." Critics argue that the city’s heritage is being sacrificed due to a lack of proper long-term maintenance rather than true necessity. In response, the city has announced a "replanting protocol." The felled giants will eventually be replaced with new stone pines of a "suitable size and age." The new plan also aims to improve the subsoil conditions to ensure the next generation of trees can grow more securely. After the partial reopening of Via dei Fori Imperiali on Monday, the city plans to reopen the street fully one week later, on 23 February.