Leipzig takes second place in the European City Tree Prize!

Leipzig takes second place in the European City Tree Prize!

A green thumb is currently particularly rewarded in Leipzig. The city council has long been committed to sustainably increasing the number of trees in the city. Today, July 8, 2025, Leipzig can proudly announce that it has won second place in the European City Tree Prize 2025 in Bonn. This price is from European Arboricultural Council awarded and is a sign that the city is on the right track with its innovative street tree concept.

Leipzig has the goal of planting 1,000 new street trees every year and also replacing felled trees. The ambitious street tree concept 2030, which contributes in particular to climate adaptation and climate neutrality, enabled the city to step into the spotlight in a competition in which a total of eight German cities applied - including Augsburg, Bonn and Hamburg. Only Hamburg was able to place itself ahead of Leipzig with this concept, which particularly scored points with its comprehensive planning and the commitment of its citizens.

Nature meets urban development

Leipzig currently has an impressive 57,000 street trees. However, it is alarming that 64 percent of roads - over 1,120 kilometers - have either no trees or only one tree. With the new approach, treeless streets in urban districts and district connecting streets are primarily intended to be regreened. Citizen participation played a central role in developing the concept so that the wishes of residents were heard.

The concept will start in autumn 2023 and includes plans to plant 1,000 trees annually over the next five years. It will also be evaluated whether the planned measures are working as desired. In this context, new tree species that can better cope with drought and heat are also being considered. This is particularly important given the changes that the climate is bringing with it. Citizens should also be guaranteed enough space for the roots of the trees so that they can grow optimally.

• Start der Pflanzungen: Herbst 2023
• Geplante Standorte für die Pflanzungen: Norden, Süden, Westen, Osten
• Für Erstpflanzungen werden 45.000 neue Bäume angestrebt

Growth and resilience of urban trees

The outcome of such measures is crucial, especially when considering the resilience of trees in urban areas. Dendrochronological studies show that trees in highly sealed locations suffer from extreme drought. In comparison, it can be seen that unsealed locations suffer significantly less from these conditions. These findings could be important for Leipzig, as the distribution of trees and their locations will also play a role in improving the inner-city environment and the microclimate.

In summary, it can be said that Leipzig's street tree concept achieves much more than just an aesthetic gain for the city. With clear targets and a focus on sustainable urban development, the cityscape will soon be greener and more livable. The challenges of climate change are increasing, but Leipzig has a plan and the first steps have already begun.

The City of Leipzig website is available for detailed information on the street tree concept.