Scientist claims plans for 'hi-tech trees' in Cork city is a waste of money

Authorities in Cork are considering deploying up to four ‘city trees’, which its manufacturers claim filter the air and remove pollutants, in a pilot project.

The moss wall device which is to be installed at locations across Cork city. GreenCitySolutions Living Tree.

An atmospheric scientist has branded plans to spend up to €380,000 on hi-tech 'city tree' devices to improve air quality in Cork as a “waste of taxpayers’ money”.

Dean Venables, a researcher at the Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry (CRAC) at University College Cork (UCC), said the devices are “a costly and ineffectual gimmick” and will have no meaningful impact on the city’s air quality.