Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Anna Paulowna tree was removed by Farys from Jan-Baptist Boterdaelestraat in Ghent last Friday 18th October, due to its invasive nature and impact on local infrastructure, changing the street’s appearance.
A big Anna Paulowna tree, a decorative plant from China, was removed on 18th October from Jan-Baptist Boterdaelestraat in Ghent by Farys, the sewerage company. While this tree is known for its beauty and is often found in gardens, it can also be invasive because its seeds spread easily through the wind, growing in unwanted places.
Why did Farys remove the iconic Anna Paulowna tree in Ghent?
Farys, the company that manages the sewerage system in the area, removed the tree for maintenance or management reasons. They may have been concerned about its invasive nature or impact on local infrastructure. The tree’s removal has changed how the street looks.
Officially, the Anna Paulowna tree is not considered invasive in Europe but in the US. This tree can grow quickly in cracks or even sewers, and it has a big, thick root system that is hard to remove. If the tree is cut down, it grows larger the next year. Farys carefully removed the tree to prevent further issues, and its large leaves were also blocking light from neighboring houses.