Bottlebrush & Verawood Bulnesia trees to be planted on DeCastro St- RDA
The mature trees currently lining DeCastro Street include Mahogany, White Cedar and Yellow Poui.
According to the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), following an assessment by the engineers and the contractor for the DeCastro Street Sidewalks Improvement Project, the trees will need to be replaced because their established root systems are currently located under the sidewalks and parking lots and will inevitably experience damage during the demolition of the sidewalks.
The RDA, in a press release on September 4, 2026, said it recognises the community's connection to the trees, the history they represent, and the shade they provide.
“With that in mind, the design includes the replacement of trees as an integral part of the project.
New species of trees to be planted
“Bottlebrush and Verawood Bulnesia species have been selected because they are salt-tolerant and have less aggressive root systems, which make them better suited to the saline environment of the Wickham’s Cay area,” the RDA stated.
The intention, according to the RDA, is to establish a healthier, more sustainable treeline that can grow alongside the improved six-foot, ADA-compliant sidewalks without compromising pedestrian safety or accessibility.
“This approach will also deliver better value for money by reducing the risk of recurring damage and avoiding the need for further repairs,” the RDA stated.
The project was slated to start on Monday, September 7, 2026, but has been delayed, and a new start date is yet to be announced.
See related article below:
Start of DeCastro Street Sidewalks Improvement Project delayed
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23 Responses to “Bottlebrush & Verawood Bulnesia trees to be planted on DeCastro St- RDA”
We have mature trees now we are getting young trees.
Most will be dead by then. There is a chance some people arriving now will maybe just be getting Belonger status.
But 700,000 will have bee shared by friends family and politicians.
We will have about $60,000 of project value with saplings we do not want and be lleft with the environmental loss of mature trees.
This issue is beyond sickening! So much garbage and trailers all over the territory and we have been arguing for almost a week about ^%$%#@g trees! TREES? Give it a ^%$$@g rest man with the fake outrage! The entire place, especially Road Town is NASTY AS HELL and you are complaining about a few trees that are being replaced anyway. Have you looked in the hillside lately to see excavation for building residential homes and apartments? ALL TREES ARE REMOVED FOR GOOD HENCE THE INCREASE IN FLOODING ETC. How about campaigning against that? You guys are really annoying pretending to care while the real issues are left unchecked. ROAD TOWN AND THE ENTIRE BVI NEEDS A PROPER CLEAN UP NOT A FAKE OUTRAGE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE SOME OLD TREES THAT ARE DAMAGING THE INFRASTRUCTURE. NEW TREES WILL BE PLANTED, GET OVER IT!
VI is desperate to be cleaned of all the garbagenand derelicts. All the bad sidwalks and non sidewalks.
This area is fine when you look elsewhere as you have done.
This is a money for friends and kickbacks project with no value for the VI or the people of the VI.
All political games now the season is here. Nothing can save VIp in #4.. Nothing can save VIP period, Sowande looks like the only sure seat they have...
Once they’re invasive it’s a no no. And these plants have lots of disadvantages. What if after planting these starts to die. Who will pay for maintenance and repairs or changing them when this occurs. How long is the maintenance contract to insure they survive. And most importantly next is how long will this project take to complete. Feel free to be very vague
2. Fix the damaged sidewalk.
3. Due to climate, water, etc. some trees develop an extensive root system when removed from there native habitat.
4. Species can become invasive when seeds are dispersed, destroying our local flora and fauna.
5. Local wildlife can also be affected as they ( if trees are invasive) may be toxic and offer no safe habit for birds.