IDEA has started tree-planting campaigns within the framework of the program for increasing and improving the quality of green spaces.

In connection with the spring planting season, IDEA Public Union, together with the Baku City Executive Power Greening Department, has begun continuous tree-planting campaigns in the capital within the framework of the program for increasing and improving the quality of green spaces.

Within the campaigns, it is planned to plant pine, cypress, olive, Japanese pagoda tree, serviceberry, and medlar trees suitable for the soil and climate conditions of Absheron and Baku, in place of poplar trees that have been deemed dangerous and marked for felling by the State Expertise Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, or have already been cut down.

As is known, poplar trees have many adverse effects. Some of them, when flowering in the summer, release their seeds wrapped in cotton-like fibers, which often enter the respiratory tract, causing coughing or allergic reactions. Unfortunately, the pyramidal poplar, which was widely used in urban plantings, especially in inter-neighborhood areas, is now recognized as one of the most dangerous trees. Its wood is soft and easily damaged; when water enters the damaged area, the tree soon begins to rot. Additionally, their root system also decays quickly, and in windy conditions, the tall trunk cannot be supported, causing it to fall and resulting in certain losses.

Thus, planting and growing these tree species in urban conditions is considered unacceptable both from a decorative and sanitary-hygienic perspective.

Even in our capital, poplar trees have caused fatal accidents. For instance, in 2013, a poplar tree fell on a mother and child, resulting in both losing their lives. A similar incident occurred in 2011, in which Elchin Azizov, a resident of Baku, died. In both cases, the poplar trees appeared healthy externally; however, due to strong winds, the weak root system could not support the large trunk, leading to these tragic events.

Poplar trees often fall on cars, houses, balconies, electric wires, and gas pipelines, causing hazardous situations and damaging people's property. In 2015 alone, more than 660 registered appeals were made concerning dangerous poplar trees.

Considering the above, IDEA Public Union and the Baku City Executive Power Greening Department started the project in the Nizami district, where poplar trees are most frequently planted and accidents occur most often. On March 5, during the first tree-planting campaign on R. Rustamov Street, volunteers from IDEA Public Union participated, and up to 500 pine, elm, cypress, and serviceberry trees were planted in stages in place of dangerous poplars.

It should be noted that IDEA Public Union and the Greening Department will organize the replacement of poplar trees with other trees in a phased manner on Elshen Suleymanov, Q. Garayev, Nakhchivani, Aliaga Kurchayli, Sharifli, Nasimi, B. Nuriyev, I. Ismayilov, K. Balakishiyev, and Sh. Mirzayev streets, as well as on Babek Avenue. In total, approximately 1,500 trees are planned to be planted in areas with hazardous trees in the Nizami district during February–April. After Nizami, similar campaigns will be held in other districts of Baku. All events will be regularly covered in the media.

IDEA Public Union is particularly sensitive to increasing and protecting green spaces, and since its establishment, it has carried out large-scale tree-planting campaigns, resulting in the planting of more than 5 million trees across the country.