Healthy trees are being felled as construction of a new United States consulate begins on a large plot in Guadalajara’s Fraccionamiento Monraz.
Images this week confirmed that an unknown quantity of trees on the three-hectare site had been felled and their trunks cut up into smaller pieces. These were removed from the site soon after they were cut up.
According to some reports, the builder has permission from municipal authorities to remove 25 trees. The reports also suggest that the site, which formerly housed a large residence with extensive, lush grounds, was known as a climatic regulator for the zone.
In a message posted on its Facebook page – presumably in response to the news reports – the consulate made no reference to the destroyed trees, but noted that “numerous trees are temporarily being removed to keep them out of the site and then re-set them as part of the final design. Other trees are being offered for sale or donation and some will be harvested to incorporate them into the design of the project for elements such as architectural details, public benches or other facilities.”
The consulate post added that “new trees and plants will be planted as construction is completed” and that “a large grove of mature trees will be preserved to provide an immediate benefit to employees and visitors with shade, colorful vegetation and habitat for wildlife.”