Gov’t calls people not to fell boxwood trees for upcoming Palm Sunday

The Georgia government calls on the public to refrain from illegally felling boxwood trees in the run up to Palm Sunday next week.

The Colchian boxtree is an endangered species. A few dozen years is needed for the plant, which is currently suffering from a declining population, to repopulate in the country.

The Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture urges everyone not to fell the willow:

Destruction or cutting of the tree’s branches is punishable by law, and is even criminally prosecutable. 

Individuals will be fined 500-1000 GEL for destruction of the tree, but if damage exceeds 1000 GEL, legal proceedings can also be initiated.

The boxwood tree can be purchased at national wildlife agencies and private nurseries.