The landmark tree on the Rabat-Valletta road, the trunk of which developed a form that uncannily resembles the crucified Christ, has died and is going to be turned into a monument, according to the chairman of the Malta Embellishment and Landscaping Project (MELP), Michael Mercieca.

The Malta Independent reported last Saturday that the tree was likely dead, having turned brown all over, including all its pine needles, though it is an evergreen.

Mr Mercieca explained that the MELP intends to uproot the tree, remove its pine needles and trim the main body to preserve the part of the tree which is in the form of a crucifix, to convert it into a monument.

He confirmed that the MELP has submitted an application for development permits to erect the monument, using the vacant space in the area in front of the tree’s present location, to serve as a shrine. “Once the permits are issued, we will start the works immediately,” said Mr Mercieca.

The reason for the tree’s slow death is thought to be damage it suffered in a storm last winter. It is one of a number of trees on the road that have died over the years and started deteriorating after a storm last winter.

Devout people had made a place of worship of the form of the crucified Christ on the trunk, placing candles and flowers at its foot. Tourists stopped on their way to Mdina to photograph it.

Employees from the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs and the Environmental Landscapes Consortium (ELC) propped it up some time after the storm, when the tree was thought to be tilting, and it is now feared it will fall over when it rains and the ground turns soft. The tilt seems to have become accentuated over recent weeks.