Water the young trees: This is how you save Berlin's urban greenery!

Water the young trees: This is how you save Berlin's urban greenery!

In the last few weeks the weather in Germany has been characterized by extreme heat and dryness. Our green companions, the city trees, are particularly affected. In Berlin, residents are being urged to water young city trees adequately during these warm and dry phases. This is particularly important because the root systems of these tree species are not yet fully developed, as n-tv reports.

The Senate Department for Climate Protection and the Environment emphasizes that it is important not to give too much water in order not to damage the trees. Effective watering should ideally be done once or twice a week with around 75 to 100 liters per watering session - and ideally early in the morning or evening. By the way, young urban trees can be recognized by their white-painted trunk, which protects them from direct sunlight.

The value of city trees

City and street trees are valuable plants that not only beautify the cityscape, but also make a decisive contribution to the microclimate. They filter pollutants from the air, provide shade and are a habitat for numerous animal species. Unfortunately, many of these trees have difficulty adapting to the extreme conditions found in urban areas, such as soil compaction and changing climatic factors. According to information from the Federal Environment Agency, many city trees only reach half of their potential lifespan.

For the future, it is important to take into account the immigration of new harmful organisms and to focus on heat and drought-tolerant tree species. A qualified site factor analysis can help select the right tree species and improve their functions.

Commitment of the district

Some districts, such as Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, have already introduced systems to monitor soil moisture, while other districts such as Neukölln are calling for additional watering to be given to city trees. The Mitte district is particularly active, regularly calling on residents to help with watering. Does anyone have a role in the big game of urban tree care? The “Gieß den Kiez” platform is used in many districts to coordinate watering activities and bring residents together.

It is particularly pleasing that the Pankow district is taking responsibility for watering young city trees up to their eleventh year in order to relieve the burden on residents.

Long-term strategies and recommendations

A report from the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) examines the suitability of various tree species under changing climatic conditions. The analysis focuses on the region and considers how factors such as the number of hot days and dry seasons could change by 2050. The use of heat- and drought-tolerant trees has therefore become a key recommendation for making urban green spaces sustainable in the future eskp.de.

The general public is also advised to conserve fresh drinking water and use alternative water sources, such as collected water from washing vegetables or unsalted cooking water, to irrigate trees. There are also a number of suggestions for improving site conditions and water absorption, such as planting tree discs, from BUND Berlin, which calls for a significant improvement in the environment for our city trees.

It is clear that urban trees, our green life-givers, need more attention in order to cope with future challenges arising from climate change. Maintaining their beauty and function is a shared task that requires creative commitment and timely action.