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More plane trees felled along Canal du Midi in fight against killer fungus More plane trees felled along Canal du Midi in fight against killer fungus
(about 1 hour later)
France’s waterways authority will begin chopping down thousands more plane trees along the historic Canal du Midi on Monday in its ongoing battle against the disease that is killing them. France’s waterways authority will begin felling thousands more plane trees along the historic Canal du Midi on Monday in its ongoing battle against the disease that is killing them.
The destruction of the trees, which will be burned where they fall, will bring the total number cut down along the Unesco historic site to more than 15,000 in the last nine years. The destruction of the trees, which will be burned where they fall, will bring the total number cut down along the Unesco site to more than 15,000 in the last nine years.
Voies Navigables de France (VNF), the country’s waterways authority, fears that all 42,000 plane trees along the 250km canal that links the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, will eventually have to be removed but has pledged to replace them. Voies Navigables de France (VNF), the country’s waterways authority, fears that all 42,000 plane trees along the 250km canal that links the Atlantic and the Mediterranean will eventually have to be removed, but it has pledged to replace them.
Built on the orders of the Sun King, Louis XIV, the Canal du Midi is listed by the United Nations as one of the “most remarkable feats of civil engineering” but also a natural work of art. Built on the orders of the sun king, Louis XIV, the Canal du Midi is listed by the UN as one of the “most remarkable feats of civil engineering” but also a natural work of art.
On 1 January 1667, workers began removing the first of an estimated 7m cubic metres of earth and rubble to create the canal.On 1 January 1667, workers began removing the first of an estimated 7m cubic metres of earth and rubble to create the canal.
The plane trees were added in the 1830s to strengthen its banks as well as offer shade from the relentless sun to those using the waterway and reduce evaporation. However, by 2006 it was clear that many of the trees were sick. The plane trees were added in the 1830s to strengthen its banks as well as offer shade from the relentless sun to those using the waterway and reduce evaporation. By 2006, however, it was clear that many of the trees were sick.
Specialists identified a fungus – Ceratocystis platani – believed to have been brought to France in contaminated ammunition boxes used by American troops during the second world war. Specialists identified the fungus Ceratocystis platani, which is believed to have been brought to France in contaminated ammunition boxes used by US troops during the second world war.
Boat users bumping into the trees and tying mooring ropes are also thought to have contributed to the spread of the fungus. Boat users bumping into the trees and tying mooring ropes around them are also thought to have contributed to the spread of the fungus.
Since 2006 around 13,850 have been cut down and on Monday, workers began chopping down another 2,200 infected planes. Since 2006 around 13,850 trees have been felled and on Monday, workers began cutting down another 2,200.
Jacques Noisette, spokesperson for the VNF, said the affected trees were in around 30 different places. He added that the current round of felling should be completed by November. Jacques Noisette, a spokesman for the VNF, said the affected trees were in around 30 different places. He added that the current round of felling should be completed by November.
Noisette said the planes were being replaced by a variety of trees including pine, poplars and oaks. VNF raised more than €500,000 after a public appeal for donations to replace the infected planes in 2013. Noisette said the planes were being replaced by a variety of trees including pine, poplar and oak. VNF raised more than €500,000 (£355,000) after a public appeal for donations in 2013.