Bergen nursery left with skeletal trees after disputed pruning by neighbouring co-op

A nursery in Bergen’s Paradis district has been left with severely damaged trees after a neighbouring housing co-operative ordered their pruning without the nursery’s consent, Dagbladet reports.

Staff at the nursery discovered the work in progress on a Monday in February, halting the operation after finding one tree reduced to a “skeleton” and another partially cut back. Jonas Eilertsen, a nursery teacher and assistant manager, described the pruning as “vandalism” and confirmed the nursery had not authorised the work.

The co-operative claimed the trees—located within the nursery’s fenced area—stood on their property based on municipal maps, a claim the nursery disputes. A co-op representative, who spoke anonymously, said they had informed the nursery’s leadership of the planned work last autumn, alleging a staff member had “no objection” to the pruning. The nursery denies giving consent, stating the discussion was informal and no agreement was reached.

Anleggsgartner Askeland, the contracted firm, confirmed visiting the nursery the Friday before the work began but acknowledged they did not verify the name of the staff member who allegedly approved the job. Nina Askeland, a company representative, defended the pruning, citing rot and damage in the trees, though Eilertsen dismissed these claims.

The nursery filed a police report, later dismissed due to lack of resources, and has demanded the co-op and contractor either replant trees or fund temporary screening. Police in Bergen have not responded to requests for confirmation of the report.