In the Vista Alegre neighborhood of Aguascalientes, a eucalyptus tree with branches extending over the street is causing concern among residents. The tree, located on Estribo Sur Street near number 204, has not been maintained for some time , and its branches reach across the street, posing a potential hazard to neighbors.
Residents' concerns have grown after a recent incident on Jineteo Street , where a combination of rain and strong winds caused a tree and a light pole to fall on a house. There was property damage to the building and several vehicles, and, according to neighbor Cecilia Becerra , the fear of something similar happening near their homes has intensified with the rainy season approaching.
Location of the tree and reason for the alert
The tree in question is located at 204 Estribo Sur , in a residential area with constant foot and vehicle traffic. According to residents, the branches extend over the roadway and touch the opposite sidewalk, reducing visibility and obstructing passage, with particular concern for pedestrians and smaller vehicles.
Residents say the eucalyptus tree hasn't received the preventative pruning they believe is necessary. The lack of maintenance and the weight of the long branches fuel fears of branches breaking off, especially during the frequent rain and windstorms at this time of year.
Recent background that raised the alarm
A few days ago, on nearby Jineteo Street , a tree and a lamppost were knocked down by the storm, damaging a house and several cars. This incident is the reference point many residents use to justify their current concern: they fear a similar situation could happen to the eucalyptus tree in Vista Alegre.
The fact that some branches of the tree in question completely cross the street reinforces the perception of danger. With strong winds , residents explain, the branches move considerably, increasing the chances that one will break and fall on cars, power lines, or pedestrians.
Procedures before the City Council and costs mentioned
The residents claim to have repeatedly requested intervention from the municipality. According to them, the response they received was that removing or pruning the branches would be very expensive, costing around three thousand pesos or more , which has prevented an immediate solution. Meanwhile, they say, the tree continues to grow and the risk remains.
Given this situation, they have submitted their request to the Public Services Department of the municipality of Aguascalientes, headed by Carlos España . They are demanding an on-site technical inspection and preventative pruning to eliminate the danger before a more serious accident occurs.
Voices of the Neighborhood
Among those who have spoken out is Cecilia Becerra , a resident of the area, who says the problem is not new and that she has been requesting municipal intervention for some time. She explains that the fear intensifies when there is school activity and pedestrian traffic, due to the possibility that a heavy branch could break off.
Residents insist that the size and height of the eucalyptus tree do not guarantee its stability during storms . On the contrary, they point out, during periods of heavy rain and wind, large branches are more likely to break unexpectedly, so they urge proactive measures.
Possible risks and preventive measures
If no action is taken, the most worrying scenario includes damage to homes, vehicles, and pedestrians , as well as potential damage to power lines and streetlights. The presence of branches on the road can also cause sudden maneuvers by drivers and minor collisions, especially at night or in reduced visibility.
As preventative measures, residents propose preventative pruning by qualified personnel, a tree health assessment, and coordination with the lighting and wiring departments to minimize outages or tree falls. They also suggest marking the area during periods of high winds and cordoning it off, if necessary, during maintenance work.
The Vista Alegre neighborhood is awaiting a response from municipal authorities that will ease tensions and restore normalcy to the street. Following the incident in Jineteo , they say their priority is to address the eucalyptus branches in Estribo Sur as soon as possible to prevent damage that, in their view, could be avoided with timely intervention.
