Striking balance between trees preservation and human safety

2026-02-25 - 13:26

*Authorities should pay attention to health of the trees — Dr Nnimmo, environmentalist *Botanists know the life span of different trees... — Prof Ajala, anthropologist By Osa Mbonu-Amadi A tragic incident in Awhum community, Udi LGA, Enugu State, Nigeria, on February 17, 2026, underscores the deadly risks posed by aging trees near populated areas. A massive ancestral tree known as Ukwu Akpu Awhum, revered by locals for its spiritual significance and over 100 years old, collapsed during heavy rainfall and strong winds, crushing two parked commercial vehicles and killing 11 people, mostly women passengers. This event, blending cultural loss with human tragedy, highlights the urgent need to balance tree preservation with public safety. The tree fell around 8:45 pm at Ukwu Akpu, a bustling market square and bus stop, onto a Toyota Hiace bus and Sienna minivan carrying passengers from Enugu’s Old Park to nearby villages. Eyewitnesses and police reports confirm internal decay weakened the tree, exacerbated by the storm; four survivors were rescued and hospitalised. Locals viewed it as sacred, with past branch falls causing no deaths. Speaking with Vanguard Environment on the issue, Founder and Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), an ecological think tank and advocacy organisation based in Nigeria, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, said: “We do need to preserve trees in our cities, in our villages, and of course in our forests, because trees play very critical roles in our environment and in our culture. Apart from providing shades for human beings and other species, trees have economic values and cultural values, such as the kind of ideas that people in this community do have regarding this tree that fell down. Dr. Nnimmo, whose organisation focuses on environmental justice, food sovereignty, and resistance to fossil fuel extraction in Africa, said “A tree that is more than a hundred years old would clearly require that relevant authorities, both the community leadership and the ministry of environment and that of agriculture, and those in charge of urban and community planning, should pay attention to the health of the tree, to the quality of the tree, and to check especially to see what are the dangers; are the branches going to fall off when there’s high wind? Are the trees being eaten by termites or other insects? How safely can people stay under such a tree without being exposed to harm? “So I think if people had watched closely the health and quality of the tree, it could have either been trimmed, or over the years they could have found a way of keeping people away from sitting or standing or parking vehicles under this kind of old tree. On the claim by members of the village that the tree was a spirit, Dr. Nnimmo said he does not think there’s anything spiritual about the tree. “It’s just a simple thing of keeping watch over the quality of our environment. This is the way I see that situation. Trees do get old; they do fall when there’s high winds; they do fall when there are cracks that were not noticed and it will just get to a point that they have to fall. Unfortunately, people happened to be under the tree at that time when this incident occurred. “So, it’s a wake up call for the relevant authorities to be conscious of the fact that any thing could happen to trees in our urban areas, trees along the streets, and trees in people’s compounds. So they need to be constantly examined to be sure they are safe and not going to create problems of this nature.” Similarly, Enugu Police Commissioner advised inspecting aging trees near markets and roads during rainy seasons. Professor of Anthropology, Aderemi Suleiman Ajala, of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, also spoke with Vanguard Environment, weighing in on the matter. He said: “The tree that fell on people could be accidental, and the fall is largely due to the old age of the tree. In other societies, mostly the developed countries, the age of the tree will be known and recorded. Botanists know the life span of different trees, and before their expiration, those trees would be cut down or trimmed, and another one is planted to replace the old trees. Speaking even before fresh information on the cultural significance surrounding the fallen tree emerged, Professor Ajala rightly predicted that the tree could be connected with some socio-cultural values of the society. “For that particular trees no cultural significance is known yet. It is also not known if the tree is connected with any socio-cultural values of the society, with community history, identity, or any other community values. So, it may not be a cultural heritage. To ascertain all those, a thorough community interview needs be conducted.” Falling trees claim lives worldwide, though exact global tallies are elusive due to underreporting. In the US (1995–2007), wind-induced tree failures killed at an average rate of 1.45 per million people annually. The UK saw about 6.4 deaths and 55 injuries yearly from tree failures (1999–2008). England and Wales recorded 20–50 deaths yearly from falling objects including trees (2013–2019). Australia averaged roughly 4 deaths per year from such incidents over 12.5 years. Environmentalists champion old trees for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and cooling urban heat, but unchecked growth near roads or homes amplifies risks from storms, decay, or disease. In Nigeria’s rainy seasons, like the Enugu incident, weak roots or rot in centenarian trees heighten the possibility of collapse. Cultural attachments, as in Awhum, complicate decisions, yet public safety must prevail when trees threaten lives. Regular inspections by tree surgeons called arborists can detect decay, leaning, or dead branches early. No more than 25 per cent of live foliage of healthy trees, and 10 per cent for weakened one, should be prunned annually to avoid stress. For large trees near roads or residences, supports and cables should be installed, or as hazards, be completely remove as a last resort if pruning fails. Communities should prioritise trees in high-traffic spots like bus stops, replacing them with younger, resilient species after being removed. Nigeria could adopt tree risk assessments, training locals on spotting dangers amid climate-driven storms. Globally, proactive maintenance saves lives without wholesale deforestation. Trees can be pruned strategically. Culturally vital trees should be monitored, and people educated on weather vulnerabilities. The Enugu tragedy, while devastating, urges balanced action. Nature’s gifts should be honoured, but human lives should also be safeguarded.