(haipo) A row of large, old cypress trees on Yotam Street in Haifa could be cut down as part of a planned demolition and construction project. Residents and environmental activists claim that the project could have been planned in a way that would have allowed the trees to be preserved, and are calling on the municipality and the forestry official to stop the felling process and consider an alternative that would protect the green avenue.
There is grave concern among residents and environmental activists in the Carmel Ridge in Haifa, following the threat of felling, they claim, over a row of old and large cypress trees located near the intersection of Yotam 38 and Yocheved 2 streets. This is a row of old trees, which, according to the applicants, constitutes a significant part of the green landscape of the Carmel Ridge. They claim that the cypress trees are healthy and have scenic, ecological and historical value, and provide, among other things, shade, screening and a noise barrier in the dense urban environment.
The construction could be planned around the trees
The fear of felling arises against the backdrop of the TAMA 38/2 project planned for the site, which includes demolition and rebuilding. According to the opponents, in approving the project, sufficient weight was not given to the possibility of preserving the row of cypress trees within the framework of the new planning. According to them, various planning solutions could have been examined, including changing the building lines, adjusting the location of the building, or reducing the area of the parking basements, in order to allow the trees to remain in place.
"The question is not only whether the trees can be cut down, but whether we will really do everything possible to save them," the petitioners claim. According to them, old, large trees are not a resource that can be easily replaced by new plantings, especially when it comes to a row of trees that has been part of the urban landscape for many years.
"It's not about a few more trees in the garden"
The applicants emphasize that from their perspective, this is a complete landscape complex and not individual trees. According to them, the row of cypresses gives the street a green character and provides habitats and sources of shelter for birds and animals in the area. In addition to their ecological value, the opponents claim that the size and age of the trees have special significance in the urban environment. A young tree planted today, they say, cannot provide in a few years the same amount of shade, landscape presence, and ecological and environmental services that older trees provide.
Demand to stop the amputation procedure
According to the opponents, so far they have appealed to the Haifa Municipality as well as forestry officials at the local and national levels, demanding urgent action to prevent the felling of the trees. Among the demands raised:
- Issuing an administrative order to stop work or felling, as far as possible and in accordance with the powers of the authorized bodies.
- Delaying the validity of the logging license, to the extent legally possible.
- Reexamination of the existing planning.
- Presenting a planning alternative that will, according to the applicants, allow for the preservation of the row of cypress trees.
"Time is running out"
They claim that this is an irreversible decision. If the trees are cut down, it will not be possible to restore the situation to its former state. On the other hand, a change in planning at the appropriate stage may, they say, allow for a combination of urban renewal and the preservation of old trees.
The struggle over the row of cypresses actually raises a broader question concerning urban renewal in Haifa: Is it possible to promote demolition and construction projects without first giving up on old trees, which are an integral part of the landscape, ecology, and character of the Carmel?
The Haifa Municipality stated:
"This is the exercise of a permit granted by virtue of a decision of the authorized committee from the previous term, in July 2020. As part of the decision, a tree survey was approved, which determined the preservation of three of the 12 trees on the lot. As for the remaining trees, it was found that due to the excavation work required to construct the parking lot, the remaining trees could not be preserved in place, and therefore, the committee at that time approved their felling. In accordance with the procedure prescribed by law, upon publication of the application for a felling license, an objection could (and should) have been submitted to the National Forestry Officer.
"As long as an objection is submitted, within the deadlines set by law, it is examined and decided by the authorized authorities. It is important to note that the municipality will work to have alternative planting of mature trees by the developer."
No!!!!!!! approve new construction if parking is not approved for all!!!!! residents of the house that will be built.
Besides destroying nature and art in the city, is the city doing anything? A bunch of officials and a sheriff, leading the city backwards. Pathetic!
A similar problem is expected at 10 Sports Street.
Draconian construction is also planned here according to TAMA 38.
The cypresses are causing damage not only because of the TAMA project and the parking lot
I drew attention on behalf of the municipality to the damage caused on Yotam Street by the dirt from the cypress trees on the garbage cans, on the sidewalk, on people and cars.
I hope that in our Yotam 2-4 the municipality will do everything to alleviate the suffering of Yotam residents due to the disease of the cypress trees. Prune branches that are spitting something on the sidewalk. I slipped on 4/8/26 from the cypress trees near where I live.
I have photos of the damage.
With all due respect for preserving the cypress trees, it must be taken into account that for months we have been suffering from tree disease, and I am sure that the person in charge of the municipality, whose name is preserved, will take care of the recurring complaint about the sticky dirt caused by the cypress trees, regardless of the fact that I have no evidence of it.
You made fun of the Haifa Municipality, which is entirely in the pockets of contractors and construction developers.
The flowering of cypress trees causes severe allergies for many people, so it's not a bad thing that there will be fewer cypress trees around human habitation.
What is the exact address of the place? Because I think they have already demolished half of the houses. And that is something terrible. We must fight the destruction of the Carmel
I wonder how much money passed from hand to hand and to whom?
All the neighborhoods are turning from green to gray. Every new building in Tama 38 doesn't have a front garden, only dark parking lots and plants a couple of bushes in the planter that grow a little tall but no shade. The whole essence of a city of gardens and a green Carmel with spaces between the buildings and green gardens is simply trampled. The contractors are building monsters right up to the street. Everything is vulgar and huge without any thought for the neighborhood, only paved parking lots for residents instead of gardens, and this turns entire streets into heat traps. There are no trees, no shade, and you can't walk because even the sidewalks are blocked by all the additional vehicles of Tama 38 residents who come with 2-3 vehicles, and then the entire street turns into a parking lot.
I'm tired of living here, seriously. Property taxes are also eroding. The quality of life is also being damaged more and more every day. There's no point and there's no preference for Haifa anymore. For gray towers, you can also live in a new neighborhood in the Krayots, where there's more space.
In their place, they will bring all kinds of ornamental trees from East Asia that are not related to anything and will not provide shade.
This is the city council you elected.
The municipality has a million excuses, but the unique Yocheved Street faces complete destruction.
Tired of this municipality, only killing, only mining, only destroying nature, property taxes in the sky, a dirty city, except for inspectors who only give reports to the elderly, a failed municipality, Yona Yahav, resign, you destroyed the city, shame, shame
D'ont