Climate change places trees in Dessau-Roßlau-Baumhasel dies!

Climate change places trees in Dessau-Roßlau-Baumhasel dies!

Mendelssohnstraße, 06842 Dessau-Roßlau, Deutschland - In the past time, the drought in Dessau-Roßlau has left devastating traces, especially with the tree hazels on Mendelssohnstrasse. Michael Krell, a proven expert for city green, reports that five have already died of the trees that have been planted there decades ago. Other show significant signs of crowning. This robust tree species, actually spread from Balkans to Himalaya, was intended as a hope for the city's green space planners. But reality looks different, and Krell emphasizes the difficulties of planting in urban environments - this is often problematic for trees. Dead trees and unsightly tree slices are now a familiar picture in the city. A photo that Kirsten Lott, the head of the Stadtgrün department in Elisabethstrasse, has illustrated the situation.

The positive effects that trees have on the city climate are known, but their effects are limited. Especially in the urban heat islands that arise from climate change, the focus is on the importance of city and street trees. These not only provide shade, but also play a central role in climate protection by cooling the environment through evapotranspiration. However, old trees in densely populated areas have to suffer considerably from heat and dry stress.

challenges and opportunities

The city pursues the goal of creating suitable conditions for the thrive of its trees. This also includes selecting heat and dry-tolerant tree species for new plantings. A brochure, which was published by the German Garden Office Conference and the Federation of German Bottom Schools, lists 65 tree species that are recommended for urban areas. Among other things, there are early flowering species such as tree hazel and cornel cherry, which are an important source of food for pollinators, such as the bees. But the diversity of the tree species is crucial for biodiversity, which in turn ensures the stability and performance of urban ecosystems.

The challenges should not be underestimated: the years of establishing new residential areas and the associated soil compression have significantly deteriorated the conditions for the growth of the trees. The climate change also makes the location conditions difficult, and the immigration of new shame organisms is another threat, such as the Environmental Bundesamt explained.

The future of the city trees

A qualified analysis of the location factors and the targeted selection of tree species that also withstand future climatic conditions could help increase the lifespan of the trees and to improve their functions in the cityscape. There are around 200 tree felling in Dessau-Roßlau annually, with the city fighting at the same time as 3,500 missing points. The planning of ambitious new plantings seems to be given, but there are only around 50 replanting in the urban budget every year. And in the case of difficult locations, the costs for replacement plantings can be between 4,000 and 5,000 euros.

Another discussion point remains the species in the streets, because many tree species, such as the poplar or plane tree, have their own challenges. While the god tree, which is considered an invasive way, had to be on the brake, Robinia, as stated in the cable path, is surprisingly popular. They succeed in a splendid growth in urban space, and they show that a lot can be achieved with the right selection. Kirsten Lott also wants an application that enables city dwellers to book tree locations through sponsorships.

The discussion about the city and street trees in Dessau-Roßlau shows that there is a lot to do to keep the cityscape green and alive. There is a lot of the right strategy to continue to meet the challenges of climate change and urban life in the future. But with a good plan and the commitment of the citizens: Inside, it could be possible to make the city an even better place for all of us.