Trees in the zocalo

This is not good news.  It appears that at least ten of the trees in the zocalo may be in danger of falling according to this story in Noticias this morning.  Francisco Verasti, ecological activist, says, “it is no longer it is an aesthetic question, it is a question of security."  There is an infestation of bromeliads in the trees, which easily spread to many of the the city's trees and are parasitic.  In addition to the bromiliads, one sees tillansia or air plants growing happily on phone and electrical cables everywhere.  Also, the constant changing of the bedding plants throughout the zocalo, which occurs every few months, often brings in new pests and blights.  The tree under which the weekly concerts take place is infested with balls of the white fungi, armilaria.  The tree dates from 1871. Versati, who has implemented diverse projects towards the conservation of historic trees, said that an $11 million peso plan that would alleviate the problems it in three years has been submitted, but there has been no response thus far from the government.