The director of Thor Trees, Lawrence-Thor Stephen, has said that Banksy’s latest artwork, which features a tree he pruned for Islington council, has left him feeling “proud”. The building with the mural on is owned by Alex Georgiou who has said he has no plans to remove it. Stephen said the artwork has generated healthy discussion about the management of trees in urban areas. The artwork features green paint on a wall behind a cut-back tree to look like foliage, and a stencil of a person holding a sprayer.
Islington Council says that the cherry tree chosen by Banksy is 40-50 years old and in declining health, with decay and fungi damage. Thor Trees had a contract with the council and pruned the tree using ancient pollarding techniques by removing the upper parts of the tree. Stephen says the ancient technique will limit the growth of the tree and stops weak branches from falling off while increasing its lifespan.
Many people have been visiting the site to view the artwork, sparking discussions about the importance of urban trees and how they are managed. Georgiou has said he plans to keep the artwork on the wall “and let people enjoy it.” Stephen said he recognized the tree while watching the news on television and believes Banksy chose the tree because it was an ideal blank canvas.
Overall, Lawrence-Thor Stephen seems to feel that Banksy’s addition has given the area something to be proud of. The artwork has inspired conversations and has made people aware of the importance of trees in the urban environment and how they should be managed. Georgiou’s decision not to remove the artwork suggests that the public’s appreciation for the artwork is only growing
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