Quite a coincidence, Marc Antony!
I saw those works on that iconic cotton tree in the Lammarina today as well. I went inside this afternoon (the foreman let me in) and took some closeup photos. Then they got me in touch with the tree doctor in charge on the phone to find out more, all before I even saw your post above this evening.
Somebody seems to have called the police to complain about the work on the tree, suspecting them trying to kill the tree (again). Removing so much bark from the tree below ground level looked quite worrisome, I have to admit.
It was actually the opposite, the same tree doctor's company at work that saved the tree from termites 3 years ago - Dynamic Source (Horticulture Landscape Management Services) - restoring it to beautiful, fiery red bloom back then and last year. Their are some new leaves and buds on the tree right now, so there's hope for a recovery.
Three of the tree doctor's staff dug up the tree 1 metre deep and removed part of the bark to get rid of a very serious fungal infection, not termites this time. Then they're adding pesticide to fight the fungus and special fertiliser trying to save this quite old and obviously quite vulnerable tree. The drought of the last few months almost finished it off and then it got a fungal infection as well.
The tree doctor promised almost weekly follow-ups trying to nurse the cotton tree back to its former beauty; that's the job they've been hired for again by the developer. They seem very concerned about this tree as it's kind of iconic and a Fung Shui tree for the Lammarina, willing to spend serious cash on keeping it alive. The same arboriculturist co. also works on tree care/consulting contracts for the Govt., certified for the tough British Standard 3998 of tree care:
http://www.trees.org.uk/aa/news/BS3998-2010-What-s-new-28.html
A report about the tree-saving might be available later this year as well, similar to last time (see above, two posts ago, 2008).
And before you ask:
No, nobody has moved into the Lammarina yet - now officially named "Lamma Garden" - swimming pool filled, clubhouse and phase I houses with German appliances ready, trees and shrubbery planted, but it's still "to be finished soon...."