Liedekerke (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A falling branch in Liedekerke’s Warandepark sparked a ‘tree action plan’ after years of neglect. Mayor Berdien Van Den Abele ordered inspections of 700 trees, prioritising safety in public areas.
AS VRT news reported, the mayor of Liedekerke, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, has admitted that the recent tree incident is part of a larger problem caused by years of neglect.
Van Den Abele stated that many trees in the town, especially in places like Warandepark, were not properly cared for under the previous leadership. He mentioned that important tasks like pruning and checking tree health were ignored for too long.
To fix this, the new tree action plan will introduce a structured maintenance program. This includes detailed inspections, regular pruning, and the removal of dangerous trees when needed. The local government hopes to restore public trust and keep parks and public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone by actively managing the town’s trees.
“We are facing major problems throughout the territory. This is due to the drought and poor maintenance of the trees,”
The mayor said.
Is Liedekerke’s new tree action plan enough after the park scare?
In the ‘tree action plan’, the first step, mapping the 700 public trees, has already been done, according to Mayor Berdien Van Den Abele. This survey helps the town focus on areas with the highest risks.
The plan will prioritise places where trees are dangerous, like those near paths, buildings, or infrastructure. Pruning and removing trees will happen quickly in these areas to prevent falling branches. The mayor emphasised the need for fast and organised action, using expert advice for each decision.
The three-action plan covers more than just Warandepark. Other public areas, like playgrounds and roads, are also being checked for tree-related issues. Some branches block sidewalks, and leaves damage property.
Mayor Van Den Abele said there’s a lot of work to do because of years of poor tree care. The town will fix the worst areas first. By the end of this month, the town will tell residents where the first pruning and removal work will happen.
A large branch fell off a tree in Warandepark in Liedekerke, narrowly missing a parked car near the church. Residents were alarmed by the incident, and it caused enough concern that officials closed Warandepark and the nearby parking lot for safety reasons.
Emergency services responded promptly, and firefighters considered the tree. Due to threats of more branches falling, Mayor Berdien Van Den Abele (N-VA) ordered the tree to be removed straight away.
She highlighted the seriousness of the situation, noting that the outcome could have been far worse. The decision to remove the tree was made to prioritise public safety, and the park has since been reopened for public use.
