In the path of alms-sickness - here warns residents of falling trees

People who SVT News Småland spoke to say that large branches, even parts of trees, collapsed when it blew like the worst. It is about several hundred kilos, up to a ton, according to the residents. This has frightened and led to frustration for several years.

- I'm not moving on the city street at all when it's windy. If you have not decided on time with someone or have a case, you stay home, says Monika Rasch.

There have been several incidents, however, so far no one has been harmed by falling branches and trees. But it has been close.

- The worst thing that happened is an incident where a bus load stopped during the Harvest Party and the travelers gathered to drink coffee. It was a bit pesky and windy. Shortly after the bus had left again, a large part of a tree fell down. What fell weighed an estimated one and a half tonnes, as both chainsaw and wheel loader were required to transport it off the road. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if the group of travelers remained, says Dick Berg.

When SVT Småland hears from the County Administrative Board in Kalmar, it turns out that the Swedish Transport Administration has an ongoing case.

After being informed of the situation in the spring, documents on permits to create so-called high stumps have been submitted. Namely, the avenues are protected by legislation for cultural-historical and environmental reasons. Therefore, an exemption from the County Administrative Board is required to cut down or otherwise change the environment in the avenue.

- The measures we plan to implement in the avenue are aimed at securing traffic and properties along the way. It's about taking down the trees to what we call high stumps. Pile stumps are trees that are a few meters high and that are not a risk to those moving in the area. At the same time, the biological values ​​found in such an environment are safeguarded and the feeling of an avenue is preserved, says Eva Ditlevsen, environmental specialist at the Swedish Transport Administration.

The hope from the Swedish Transport Administration is that the County Administrative Board gives permission so that one can proceed to the work as soon as possible, before autumn storms start to blow in over Öland.

- It should be during the autumn, preferably as early as possible. Therefore, we were in a hurry to submit a dispensation application to the County Administrative Board to be able to do these measures, and then there is clearly a processing time that we must consider, ”says Eva Ditlevsen.