On 19 September 2026, residents in Gijón once again submitted formal complaints about street trees whose branches reach the façades and darken windows. One affected location is Avenida José Manuel Palacio Álvarez. One resident, Ginés Sancho, reports that branches are just a few centimetres from his windows and that he has to keep the kitchen light on all day. The neighbourhood has already prompted several submissions to the city through the property management .
The city council Gijón’s city council says in response to an enquiry that the municipal Parks and Gardens, run by the municipal company EMULSA , carries out maintenance in a way that preserves species and limits intervention to what is necessary. Complaints are assessed; priority is given to road safety, protection of buildings and the health of the trees. The town hall says no decision has yet been made on specific measures for the street in question. It would not be appropriate to comment on felling or extensive pruning without a technical assessment.
The conflict described is typical of densely built-up urban areas: trees close to façades provide shade and cool streets, but insufficient distance can reduce the light entering homes, touch awnings and blinds, or threaten render and utility lines. At the same time, mature street trees are considered an important part of cities’ adaptation to heatwaves and heavy rainfall, which has led many local authorities to adopt a more cautious approach to pruning.
Under the city’s practice, a technical report determines the type and timing of any intervention. Options include thinning the crown, removing individual branches or, where a danger has been established, more substantial pruning. Felling is considered only if a tree’s stability or health requires it, or if repeated damage to buildings cannot otherwise be prevented. In all cases, the city council is responsible when the trees are on public land.
Residents are calling for prompt measures to keep windows and façades clear, and for a clear maintenance schedule along Avenida José Manuel Palacio Álvarez. The Ayuntamiento de Gijón says reports are grouped together and dealt with according to urgency. No commitments to specific dates for the section in question had been made by the editorial deadline. The residents’ statements reflect their perspective; the city’s position is based on its general maintenance principles and the announced case-by-case assessment.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).