an emblematic tree of this village could be cut down, a citizen collective wants to save it

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It is a true emblem of this village in Haute-Garonne which is about to disappear. Indeed, in Montbrun-Lauragais, the town hall announced, in the newsletter of Sunday November 3, 2024, the probable felling of the ash tree located at Place René-Hébrard. And not everyone likes it. Voice of Midi Lauragais approached the mayor of the town to find out more about the future of this tree.

We already know that a first pruning is planned for this winter, between mid-December and mid-January, depending on Didier Bigeonnaudthe first elected representative from Montbrun. The latter wishes to give “one last chance to the tree, but without really hope”. If his condition does not improve within a year following the first interventions, the tree will be permanently cut down.

A decision fraught with tension

Several signs seemed to indicate that this village monument was sick. “It has suffered from recent droughts,” says the mayor. Fungus had appeared on its trunk and its branches were withering. The tree had been placed under surveillance for several months in order to monitor its condition.

Last June, the municipality consulted an expert from Forestry France, a company which aims to perpetuate the forest and tree heritage. The latter stated in his report that a health improvement in the condition of the ash tree is impossible and that his cut seemed “inevitable in the short term”.

Tree disease presents risks for the population. Falling branches or the ash tree itself are a danger to the safety of residents, risks which pushed the mayor to take steps to cut it down.

A collective wants to preserve the tree

Measures, presented by Didier Bigeonneau during a municipal council, which are contested by the local citizen collective Grains de pollen.

The latter, who campaigns for the protection of the environment, asserts that the report does not indicate an absolute emergency. Indeed, it also shows that the wood at the trunk of the tree is still solid and suggests that a delay in felling is possible.

While the mayor wanted to cut down the ash this fall, the association succeeded in putting forward these arguments and to obtain a reprievewith this two-step slaughter solution. Grains de pollen hopes that the latter will be able to to prove that the conservation of the tree does not represent any danger for the population.

The collective also offered its services, in a letter addressed to the municipality, in order to “actively seek alternatives to felling”.

Wood projects

In any case, if the tree were to be cut down, the town hall would like to be able to promote the extracted wood. In her newsletter, she called on the population to submit their ideas. The municipality already has several. a gift to residents who wish it and a reuse of wood to renovate common areas of the village are part of this.

Didier Bigeonnaud also hopes to be able to use it for bigger projects : “I would like to be able to take advantage of this to hold an event centered around trees, for example, to raise awareness among children. »

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