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Politics in the shadows: More trees for Berlin or just empty promises?
On October 3rd, 2025 there will be new developments in the “Bauentscheid” initiative for more trees in Berlin. Politics, environmental protection and debates about donations.
Politics in the shadows: More trees for Berlin or just empty promises?
There is a lot going on in Berlin around the topic of nature conservation and urban greening. The “Bauentscheid” initiative goes to the public with a clear demand: hundreds of thousands of new trees should be planted in the capital. Rumors about an impending referendum are making the rounds, while the black-red coalition of CDU and SPD is rethinking its course and becoming more open to the activists' demands. Current developments indicate that the topic is making waves this week, and a lot of new information has come to light. Inforadio reports that a certain Christoph Gröner, real estate entrepreneur, is also at the center of the discussion. His 800,000 euro donation to the Berlin CDU is a topic of conversation and is being examined in the administrative court.
What is actually behind the initiative? Activists led by Heinrich Strößenreuther are even demanding a million new trees for Berlin. The idea of initiating a referendum arose after Strößenreuther observed the acute heat problems in his residential area. Over 150 volunteers, including well-known personalities such as Felix Mühlmann and Jochen Tschepe, support the project, which should be implemented by 2040. The goal is not only to increase the number of trees, but also to make a noticeable difference through 1,000 new “cooling islands” and 100 larger parks by lowering neighborhoods by at least two degrees. RBB24 reports that currently around 6,000 trees are felled in Berlin every year, while only 2,500 new ones can be planted. This puts an enormous strain on existing nature, as 60% of the trees are classified as diseased.
The green heart of Berlin
Trees are not only a beautiful sight, they also provide essential functions: they improve air quality, provide shade and filter fine dust, while providing habitats for numerous animal species. Berlin has over 430,000 street trees, making it one of the greenest cities in the world. However, in recent years many street trees have been felled and replacing them was not financially feasible. The loss of quality of life is noticeable and that is why it is all the more important that funds are mobilized for new plantings. The urban tree care campaign is one way to address this challenge. The average cost of planting and caring for a new tree is around 3,000 euros in the first three years.
However, a little hope shines through: If donations reach the amount of 500 euros, the Senate will supplement the remaining amount from state funds. Information about planting dates and locations can be found on the official website. The support of the population is essential so that Berlin remains green in the future and the quality of life increases.