Poisoned Poplars in Riva del Garda: Municipality Announces Felling and Restoration of Large Trees
Two mature Populus nigra trees on Riva del Garda’s Spiaggia dei Pini have been declared dead after tests detected glyphosate, pointing to a likely poisoning. The trees—measuring about 40 meters in height with trunks around 520 cm and 438 cm in girth, respectively—are thought to be centuries old and showed little vegetative recovery after an suspected poisoning in winter 2024-2025.
A May 21, 2025 assessment by Dr. Giorgio Maresi of Fondazione Edmund Mach ruled out pathogens and insect activity; chemical analysis identified the herbicide, and the bases showed numerous drill holes consistent with injection of a substance. Municipal gardeners had repeatedly applied organic fertilizers without saving the trees. The Municipality of Riva del Garda filed a report with the Carabinieri on May 19 for damage to public property and environmental pollution, estimating 40,000 euros in damages. A second analysis on April 7 documented worsening vegetation, bark detachment, and more holes, leading to the conclusion that the trees were dead and a danger. Mayor Alessio Zanoni and Councillor Gabriele Bertoldi announced at an April 18 press conference that felling along the lakeside is planned the following week, with costs estimated at 5,000–10,000 euros, and a plan to replant with plane trees, possibly preserving one trunk as a memorial.
Italian Version