An unstable wall used to pose a risk for pedestrians in Růžová Street in Prague 1, as the wall and the adjacent pavement were disrupted by the roots of a large wych elm. Only a few specimens of the tree grow in Prague. That is why the city refrained from felling the tree and opted for a considerate solution that has allowed the grand tree to remain in place.

“Prague authorities strive to make the city greener not only by planting new trees but also by protecting the existing ones. One of the latter is a 140 years old wych elm in Růžová Street in downtown Prague, which was threatened with felling as its root system seriously disturbed the foundations of an adjacent wall. There was a real danger that the wall might collapse on the pavement and harm pedestrians,” says City Councilor Jan Chabr who is responsible for the municipal asset management agenda.