On my return from England, I posted on my shock at seeing the cours Mirabeau minus so many plane trees;
The view from outside the Renoir cinema looking up the cours
now it seems, even more may be going, as well as some in other parts of centre ville, all infected by the chancre coloré.
On Friday, another tree in the cours Mirabeau was taken down because it was displaying symptoms of infection. Tests are being done and, if it is indeed infected, between 6 and 10 more trees that are within a 35m radius will have to go. That will be on top of the 26 felled this year.
La Provence today calls it a ‘catastrophe végétale’.
Four trees near the Apple store must go, as well as 2 in Place Miollis and 2 in Bd Carnot.
‘L’impressionnante voute végétale qui faisait du printemps a l’automne toute la splendour de l’artere emblématique de la cite du roi Réné n’est deja plus’, says La Provence.
The end of an era.
The positive news is that the town has worked on an ecologically-balanced solution and is planting trees of different species, carefully chosen and carefully planted.
The cours Mirabeau will be lined with maples which have been sourced in Dusseldorf at one of Europe’s most reputable nurseries. They are suited to the urban environment, resistant to frost, heat and pollution. Elms have been chosen for the place Miollis and micocouliers (hackberry) for bd Carnot and ave Victor Hugo. The town authorities are investing in a range of species instead of just one.
In the past, new trees have been rather neglected. These on the other hand will be deeply-planted, hand-
watered, lightly-pruned, protected from any road-works, and treated only with organically-safe products.
The tree in my photo from today shows the special protective material wrapped around the young trunk, designed to shield it from the summer heat. And look – green leaves!
I guess we’ll get used to the new look cours. I just wonder how long it will take for these maples to provide the kind of shade the Aixois have been used to in the long hot summer months?
Still a few plane trees next to King Réné.
aixcentric 
Knowing how trees can spread diseases without warning, it is probably a precautionary measure. Besides, plane trees will most likely be planted again but perhaps, with more protection and durable breed versions. They may also hybridize a version that is impervious to diseases.
Yes, plus they are at least 150 years old. Yesterday we had 120k winds that tore down a tree in my son’s garden. Can’t take that risk in the middle of town. Hopefully the balanced palette of species they are planting will work….but I will sure miss those lovely old trees!