Tbilisi City Hall vows no healthy tree will be cut on Rustaveli Avenue, confirms cutting only one plane tree

No healthy tree will be cut on Rustaveli Avenue during reconstruction works; the only plane tree that was cut was mature and unhealthy, the Municipal Environment Protection Service of the Tbilisi City Hall said.

The municipal Service echoed the information released on social networks about the alleged mass cutting of trees on Rustaveli Avenue.

“One of the videos shows a mature plane tree located near the underpass that has undergone pruning and shaping; this was necessary because the removal of part of the ground cover in the area was planned, posing a risk to the tree’s stability and its falling. Based on the recommendations of specialists, pruning and shaping work was carried out to ensure the tree’s safe preservation.

Another tree will be pruned in front of the First Classical Gymnasium. The only plane tree cut was on Freedom Square; it had a hollow and faced the risk of collapse.

The Municipal Environment Protection Service of Tbilisi City Hall stated with full responsibility that not a single healthy tree will be cut on Rustaveli Avenue during reconstruction work. On the contrary, the project comprises greening works that will make Rustaveli Avenue even greener,” reads the statement.