07 July,2026 07:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Firefighters assemble in a Mahalaxmi neighbourhood where three trees collapsed on Monday morning, damaging several homes. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Every monsoon, tree-fall incidents bring parts of Mumbai to a standstill, damaging vehicles, disrupting traffic and, at times, claiming lives. While heavy rain and gusty winds are often blamed, experts say the weather is only the trigger, not the root cause. Years of unscientific pruning, rampant concreting, repeated excavation around roots, poor species selection, and neglect have left thousands of trees structurally weak and vulnerable to collapse, according to arborists and other experts who explained to mid-day why the city's green cover is increasingly becoming a public safety hazard and what authorities must do to avert tragedy.
Rescue personnel clear an uprooted tree from Ghodbunder Road at Patlipada in Thane on Monday. PIC/PTI
Dr Nagesh Tekale, retired botany professor with expertise in tree health assessment, stated that in most cases, trees collapse after being weakened over years due to unscientific urban development and poor management. Claiming that concreting is a major reason for tree falls, he said, "During road work, major supporting roots are often cut or damaged, destabilising the tree. Concreting also prevents roots from receiving oxygen and destroys beneficial microorganisms essential for nutrient absorption, leading to root starvation and decay." He added, "Every tree requires at least a three-foot open circular area around its base for root respiration. Otherwise, they rot and are highly vulnerable."
Dr Tekale stressed that healthy trees with robust root systems usually withstand extreme weather. He added that trees growing near compound walls, sewage drains, heavily polluted roads, or those affected by rat burrows, ant colonies, nutrient deficiency and uneven canopy growth are at a significantly higher risk of collapsing.
Dr Tekale pointed to restricted root space, compacted soil and poor soil quality as major contributing factors for collapses. He said Mumbai's soil is increasingly contaminated with cement particles. "Healthy trees need loose, organic soil to anchor. Most urban trees are standing on damaged roots, making them unstable," he noted.
According to Dr Mundlye, during civic works, concrete is often laid right up to the trunk, leaving little or no exposed soil. This prevents roots from spreading naturally and weakens the development of the root ball, the underground network that anchors a tree firmly in the soil. "A tree with a compromised root system cannot withstand intense monsoon winds," he said.
Dr Nagesh Tekale, retired botany professor; Dr Umesh Mundlye, tree expert and environmentalist
Dr Mundlye stated that the problem is aggravated by the widespread planting of exotic ornamental species such as Gulmohar, which have relatively shallow root systems compared to many native trees. "When such species are subjected to excessive pruning, restricted root growth, and repeated excavation around their bases, they become highly vulnerable during storms," he said.
Stating that tree management in Mumbai needs a scientific overhaul, Dr Mundlye called for pruning to be carried out by trained arborists following established standards, open soil to be maintained around tree bases, and making regular health assessments.
Dr Nilesh Baxi, former member of Mumbai's Tree Authority, said that most tree falls are preventable if civic authorities adopt scientific arboriculture practices, conduct regular health assessments using modern diagnostic tools, and ensure proper maintenance instead of treating trees as roadside obstacles.
According to Dr Tekale, pruning should be undertaken only during January-February under the supervision of a qualified arborist. "Random or excessive pruning weakens the tree by reducing its food-producing canopy and disturbing its natural balance," he said.
Tree expert and environmentalist Dr Umesh Mundlye stated that contractors often lop off branches only from the side facing buildings, roads, electricity lines or signboards instead of pruning the tree uniformly, thus shifting the entire weight of the canopy to one side, making the tree unstable.
