Why Were the Chitgar Trees Cut Down?

Tehran Municipality's Director General of Environment announced the cutting of infected trees in Chitgar to control the bark-eating beetle infestation, with three to ten trees to be planted for each tree removed.

The Director General of Environment of Tehran Municipality announced the cutting of infected trees in Chitgar to control the bark beetle pest and planting three to 10 trees for each cut tree.

According to Ambassador of Arjan, Mohammad Saber Bagkhanipour, identified non-native species, reduction of underground water resources and climate change as the factors of weakening trees and spread of bark beetle pest in Chitgar forest park and said: Infected trees are cut to prevent the spread of the pest to other trees.

Referring to the history of creating forest parks in Tehran, he said: About 60 years ago, city managers planted hand-planted forests with the aim of creating green corridors in the east and west of Tehran. A decision which, according to the knowledge of that time, was correct in principle, but had two fundamental problems in the way it was implemented.

Bagkhanipour added: The first problem was the planting of non-native species and the second one was not respecting biodiversity. In different parts of Tehran's forest parks, including Chitgar, Sorkhehsar and Loizan, mainly Eldarica pine species were planted; While the lack of species diversity causes a large part of the vegetation to be damaged by the spread of a pest or disease.

reduction of water resources and climate change; Factors that weaken trees

Director General of Environment and Sustainable Development of Tehran Municipality, referring to the spread of bark beetle pest in Tehran, said: non-nativeness of planted species, climate changes and reduction of underground water resources are among the factors that reduce the resistance of trees and make them more vulnerable to pests.

He stated that the trees should grow according to the environmental conditions after being established, and explained: Tehran's forest parks need water supply due to the climatic conditions and the type of vegetation created, and part of the water needed for these spaces is provided from the treated sewage effluent.

Cutting infected trees to prevent the spread of the pest

Referring to the difficulty of dealing with bark beetles, Bagkhanipour said: In the current conditions of the country, there is no effective and conventional possibility for this kind of pest control, and to prevent the pest from being transmitted to healthy trees, it is necessary to remove infected trees within certain limits.

He emphasized: Cutting of trees in these areas is not done without rules and before cutting, the trees are marked by the relevant agents and these actions are done within the framework of the park management plan.

He also said about the fate of the wood of the infected trees: the wood of these trees is not capable of normal use; Because it may cause the pest to be transferred to other wood and forest spaces. For this reason, these woods must be properly disposed of or burned.

Director General of Environment and Sustainable Development of Tehran Municipality, referring to the tree replacement program, said: For every tree that is cut, between three and 10 trees are planted, and in choosing alternative species, we try to use species suitable for the current climatic conditions of Tehran.