Environmental Crime: Poisoning of 5 Ancient Chestnut Trees in Lonato

Environmental criminals have poisoned five of the 200 ancient chestnut trees (planted during the Battle of San Martino and Solferino in 1859) that line the main entrance road to Lonato.

Unknown individuals drilled a hole about 20 centimeters from the base of each tree and injected toxic liquid into it.

The discovery was made yesterday by municipal gardeners, concerned because within a few days, the leaves of the five chestnuts have turned yellow.

Municipal Response

The mayor has decided to conduct inspections of all other trees and filed a report with the carabinieri.