Trees that are identified as an imminent hazard to public safety may be taken down immediately. The clarification comes from the Ministry of the Environment, after a large branch broke off a tree in Chisinau’s Botanica sector, nearly missing a woman and her young child.

Per the protocols, green spaces agents are authorized to start removal work as soon as a hazardous tree is identified, and the Environment Agency must be notified by close of business.

The Ministry says that members of the public may also come forward with requests for removal of such hazards. People are encouraged to call 112, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, the Green Spaces Management, the Ministry of the Environment or any other competent authority.

Since the start of the year, the Environment Agency has received 521 requests for tree removal from the Green Spaces Management, of which only four have been rejected. An application is typically examined in 5-7 days.

Minister Sergiu Lazarencu asked the Agency to continue examining the removal requests from the Chisinau administration within the shortest times possible.

The City Hall says tree trimming and removal work is ongoing throughout the city, as the extremely hot weather lately has contributed to the degradation of trees.