Alarm in Potsdam: Trees are suffering from extreme drought!

Alarm in Potsdam: Trees are suffering from extreme drought!

In 2025, the persistent drought will be very difficult for plants and especially trees in urban areas. Loud City report The plants are suffering from a significant lack of water after the climate reference station of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) reported record low rainfall in the first half of the year. The result? A pronounced drought stress, which is exacerbated by the radiant heat from streets and buildings. If you look at the situation in Germany during spring, it turns out that it is one of the three driest since measurements began ZDF today reported.

The soils are too dry, and even experimental data from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research paint a worrying picture. Drought warning levels are determined by measuring soil moisture to a depth of 1.8 meters, supplemented by historical values. The current situation could be described as a “mortgage for the summer,” as Katrin Drastig from the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering aptly put it. In addition, March 2025 was the driest since records began. In some regions, people have to fight for their gardens and their trees because the lack of water is already having a serious impact on forests and agriculture, as experts warn.

Watering tips for city dwellers

The Potsdam city administration is calling on citizens to actively support their plants. But what is the best way to do this? We recommend watering sparingly, which is best done late in the evening or early in the morning when the sun is not shining too strongly. The experts recommend watering the plants at the root area to optimize water absorption. Storing rainwater and using industrial water are also smart options in times of drought.

• Bewässerung am Wurzelbereich, nicht von oben.
• Niederschlagswasser speichern und nutzen.
• Brauchwasser einsetzen.
• Ein- bis zweimal wöchentlich kräftig gießen (40-50 Liter pro Baum).
• Boden mit Mulchmaterial bedecken, um Verdunstung zu minimieren.

Younger trees and shrubs in particular require a good hand in care because their roots are not yet deep enough to absorb large amounts of water efficiently. In this context, it is becoming increasingly important to support local ecosystems, as the drought is already having noticeable consequences for nature in several regions of Germany.

Drought as a challenge of the future

Drought not only affects our drinking water or agriculture, but is also an expression of ongoing climate change. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines drought as a condition in which too little precipitation falls over long periods of time. There are also challenges such as increased evaporation losses and reduced soil moisture caused by climate change Federal Environment Agency explained, be reinforced.

With forecasts predicting increasing drought in many regions, it is clear that society will increasingly have to face new challenges. This not only affects our plants and forests, but also has profound effects on the entire agriculture and water supply. The need for regional forecasts and drought management plans becomes essential for the future of our cities.