In the gusts that shook the city on Thursday, nearly 300 complaints of trees or branches falling came from Bengaluru South zone of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike alone.
The reason takes root nearly two decades ago when a mass plantation drive along the main roads of older areas of Jayanagar were carried out. “Aesthetically pleasing and ornamental trees were planted in the area. These are softwood trees that grow fast. But their branches are very brittle,” said Deputy Conservator of Forests (BBMP Forest Cell) N.D. Sudarshan.
Vijay Nishant, who has mapped trees in three wards of Bengaluru South, said the Copper Pod trees, which are often planted along roads, are the worst affected by gusts. “When they were planted, they had a wide bank of mud for nutrition. Now, there is only tar or concrete around and these trees have become weak,” he said.