A piece of the botanical history of Villa Borghese has gone forever with the felling of the centenary Ginkgo Biloba located near the Terrazza del Pincio. The tree, about 20 meters high and with a trunk of 3.10 meters in circumference, was more than a hundred years old and represented a symbol of Roman autumn thanks to its characteristic carpet of golden leaves. The news sparked protests among associations and citizens, many of whom criticized the Capitol for the lack of prior communication.
Ginkgo Biloba is known as a living fossil, capable of surviving for thousands of years and having a natural defense system against parasites and diseases. Despite its longevity, the felled tree showed some signs of degradation according to the agronomist appointed by the Municipality.
The technical report highlighted that the apex was completely dry up to about six meters in height and some lateral branches, although vigorous, were weakly inserted into the stem, making the entire plant at risk of collapsing. The tree was therefore considered to be in vegetative decline and not recoverable.
The dismaying reactions on social media
The cutting of the Ginkgo has generated a wide debate among nature lovers, citizens and environmental associations, such as the Facebook group Friends of Villa Borghese. Many have expressed pain and disbelief, underlining the historical and landscape value of the plant. Ginkgo was considered not only a decorative element, but also a symbol of resilience and longevity, capable of surviving major historical catastrophes, including wars and natural disasters.
Some citizens questioned the official reasons for the felling, wondering whether it was really a question linked to the age of the plant or to new management criteria for the so-called “end of life” of the trees. The lack of access to documents and prior communications further fueled the controversy, leaving a sense of misunderstanding and frustration among the Romans who loved the tree.
The future of the park and the tree species
Despite the protests, the Municipality’s experts justified the decision by underlining the risk of subsidence and compromise of the canopy, which could have represented a danger for visitors to the park. However, the felling of the Villa Borghese Ginkgo raises a broader reflection on the protection of historic trees and the importance of communicating transparently with the community, highlighting how delicate it is to preserve such a unique natural heritage.
REQUIEM for the Gingko Bilolba del Pincio in Rome. For a century it had amazed the Romans, announcing Autumn with its carpet of…
Posted by Amici Di Villa Borghese on Sunday, October 12, 2025
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