The City of Jesolo is opening the door to replacing the stone pines along its coastline, a position expressed by Mayor Christofer De Zotti in July 2026. Behind the decision are trees felled by storms, maintenance costs, and damage to pavements and drains. The plan concerns some stretches of the seafront, with gradual interventions rather than wholesale felling.
Why does Jesolo want to replace the seafront pines?
The reasons are practical and safety-related. The stone pines along the coast have grown to a remarkable size, and during storms some have come down, closing roads and requiring emergency call-outs. Then there is routine maintenance: according to the mayor's interview with La Nuova Venezia on 15 July 2026, the cost exceeds €600,000 a year.
There are also everyday effects on the urban fabric. Needles and pine cones clog the drains, roots lift the pavements and create uneven surfaces, and tourism businesses have long flagged the problem. The issue has been debated in Jesolo for decades and touches the very identity of the seafront: the mayor's position is a political opening, not an approved project.
How many pines are there, and how many have already been replaced?
The coastal tree stock counts around 3,000 stone pines, planted over the course of a century. Not all are in critical condition: for years the city has run a targeted plan covering only hazardous trees, based on visual and instrumental stability checks.
The plan's numbers are public: 265 trees replaced in 2023 and 363 in 2024. In 2022 a pilot scheme started in Via Dalmazia with 50 trees and a new planting model, since used as a reference for later work. The city's 2026-2028 planning document calls for a survey of hazardous trees with targeted interventions. Up-to-date details are on the City of Jesolo website.
What will be planted in place of the pines?
The alternatives indicated by forestry expert Paolo Perlasca are white poplar, tamarisk and Russian olive: species already found along the upper Adriatic coast. The final choice has not yet been formalised in an executive project and will depend on the city's technical assessments, stretch by stretch.
In the work carried out so far, the guiding principle has been to replant while preserving the continuity of the urban landscape. Replacement, when it happens, means planting new trees: the greenery of the coastline is not reduced — its composition changes.
What changes for people strolling along the seafront?
Nothing in the short term. No felling schedule has been announced: the promenades, the beaches and the seafront hotels remain as they are for this summer.
The change will become visible in the medium term and mostly concerns shade. A mature pine has a broad canopy covering pavements and cycle paths; a newly planted tree takes years to offer the same shelter. That is why gradualness matters: replacing a few trees at a time avoids leaving whole stretches exposed in the hot season.
Frequently asked questions
Will Jesolo cut down all the pines along the seafront?
No. The mayor has opened to replacement "at least in some stretches" of the coast, not to wholesale felling. There is currently no executive project or timetable. The city plan in force covers individual trees judged hazardous after technical stability checks.
How many pines are there in Jesolo?
Jesolo's coastline counts around 3,000 stone pines, planted over a century. Together with the pine grove, they have become a recognisable feature of the seafront's urban landscape. Only part of these trees falls within the stability checks that precede any replacement.
Why do Jesolo's pines cause problems?
Mature pines fall more easily during storms, posing safety risks. Their shallow roots lift pavements and asphalt, while needles and cones block the drains. Maintenance exceeds €600,000 a year according to the city administration.
Which trees will replace the pines in Jesolo?
The species indicated as alternatives are white poplar, tamarisk and Russian olive, suited to the coastal environment. The final decision rests with the city and has not yet been formalised. In the work already done, the criterion has been to replant preserving the continuity of the landscape.
Does the change affect summer 2026?
No. For the current season Jesolo's seafront remains unchanged: no work has been scheduled on the coastal pines. Holidaymakers will find the same tree-lined promenades as in previous years, with the season's events and services running as usual.
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