How trees that are cut down in the city of Osh are assessed

In Osh, starting from February 2025, numerous trees were cut down under the pretext of losing their biofunctional properties. Questions about what happened to these trees and what funds were received from their sale were raised to the management of the Landscaping and Improvement Combine.

Azamat Sovetbekov, who heads the combine, reported that the majority of the felled trees were located on Kurmanjan Datka Street, where the city council approved the destruction of 1430 trees. Preparatory work began at the end of 2024, and the actual cutting started in February 2025.

To assess the felled trees, independent experts were involved, who categorized the wood into three categories. The first category included trees suitable for construction use (5%). These were mainly plane trees (poplars), valued at 7500 soms per cubic meter. The second category included 1st grade trees, priced at 4000 soms per cubic meter, while the third category consisted of 2nd grade trees, suitable only for firewood, valued at 2500 soms per cubic meter.

According to the appraisers' conclusion, the majority of the felled trees turned out to be unsuitable for construction needs. For example, many maples and ashes were found to be rotten and could only be used as firewood. According to unofficial information, about 65% of the wood was classified as 2nd grade, which means firewood was sold at a price of 2500 soms.

Azamat Sovetbekov noted that the total income from the sale of the felled trees could exceed 1 million soms. Since February 2025, the budget has received more than 680,000 soms from the sale of firewood, and a total of about 700,000 soms has been received by the combine. Currently, almost half of the wood remains stored at the combine's nursery, as some buyers consider the established price too high.

In 2025, the Landscaping Combine received about 200 requests from citizens for free firewood. This firewood was provided to low-income families, kindergartens, and schools. One truck ("Shakhman") can carry 2-3 cubic meters of firewood, which is mixed by size. The firewood was sold to the combine's employees at a price of 600-700 soms per truck.

It should be noted that not all felled trees were accounted for by the combine. On some streets, contractors carrying out road work with the permission of environmental services independently cut down and disposed of trees according to the acts of territorial administrations. Moreover, in some areas, such as On-Adyr and on the outskirts of the city, residents independently cut down trees that obstructed road construction, as the combine was unable to cover all areas.

Local residents express the opinion that not all felled trees truly lost their biofunctional properties. Some claim that even young trees were cut down during the road expansion process. Preliminary data shows that in 2025, more than 5000 trees were destroyed in Osh due to road expansion and other construction works.