Poisoned Poplars in Riva del Garda: Municipality to Fell Mature Trees and Restore the Largest Specimens

Two ancient black poplars (Populus nigra) on Riva del Garda’s Spiaggia dei Pini have been declared dead after tests detected glyphosate; the trees, nearly 40 meters tall with circumferences of 520 cm and 438 cm, are believed to be centuries old and suffered poisoning in winter 2024-2025. A May 21, 2025 assessment by Dr. Giorgio Maresi of the Fondazione Edmund Mach ruled out pathogens and insect feeding, while the chemical analysis identified glyphosate and numerous drill holes at the base of the trunks consistent with substance injection.

Municipal nurseries, following instructions from a technician, repeatedly injected organic fertilizers but there was no recovery. The Comune di Riva del Garda filed a police report with the Carabinieri on May 19, 2025 for damage to public property and environmental pollution, estimating damages at €40,000. A second analysis on April 7 confirmed worsening vegetation, bark detachment, and more holes, leading to the declaration that the trees are dead and constitute a danger. Mayor Alessio Zanoni and Councillor Gabriele Bertoldi, at a press conference on April 18, announced the felling along the lakeside planned for the following week, with an estimated cost of €5,000–€10,000, and plans to replant with plane trees, including the option to partially preserve one trunk as a memorial.
Italian Version