A Reader wrote to us:
We often walk to the outdoor swimming pools on Spacerowa Street. The greenery and a break from the hustle and bustle are a pleasure, etc.
And added:
However, we are troubled by the orange paint markings on the trees—let me emphasize: MANY trees.
He also noted:
We wondered whether City Hall had authorized this. After all, two years ago you wrote about a petition concerning tree felling on the MOSIR grounds and asked the press spokesperson (she assured us that the trees would remain untouched).
We asked Bolesławiec City Hall about the matter. We will publish the response as soon as we receive it.
The appearance of orange numbers, letters or symbols on trees in urban spaces (such as areas around swimming pools or parks in Bolesławiec) most often means that the trees are undergoing a dendrological inventory.
This does not necessarily mean that the trees will be felled, although in some cases it may be an indication that felling is being considered.
What might these markings mean?
Bright orange paint or fluorescent spray is used by officials, dendrologists and landscaping companies for several purposes:
- Inventory numbering: Each tree in a given area is assigned its own unique number. Specialists then assess its health, species and dimensions. This is a standard procedure in urban greenery management.
- Maintenance work: Letters or symbols may serve as instructions for tree surgeons, for example indicating the need to trim dead branches, remove mistletoe or improve the tree’s stability so that it does not endanger people using the swimming pools.
- Preliminary indication for felling: If a tree is diseased, rotten or dead and poses a danger, an orange mark—often a dot, cross or specific letter—may mean that it has been selected for removal.
Important: Simply painting a number on a tree is not the same as condemning it. Only after a full inspection has been completed and the appropriate administrative approvals obtained is a decision made about which trees will undergo “cosmetic” work and which, if dangerous, will have to be removed.