Tree felling on Stolberger Straße: Politics demands better protection!

Tree felling on Stolberger Straße: Politics demands better protection!

In the Cologne district of Braunsfeld, the felling of two hybrid black poplars (column poplars) was recently decided to make room for the necessary renovation of the entrance and the parking lot at the Stolberger Straße 7–11 residential building. The decision ensured a shared echo in the Lindenthal district council, since the roots of the trees had previously significantly damaged the asphalt and the paving stones. District representative Barbara Albat from the SPD regrets the felling and calls for a gentler handling of planting for construction projects, while her colleague Roland Schüler from the Greens described the radical precipitation as unfortunate but ultimately unavoidable solution, above all because of the relevance of the root problem.

The felled trees were hybrid variants of the black poplar, which are on the red list of strongly endangered species. This accepts a significant loss of potential habitats for birds and insects. The second district politician, Marliese Berthmann from the CDU, had suggested that the poplars to suck strongly to get an ivy tree that could offer a nesting site. Nevertheless, the city administration rejected the idea of ​​a crown protection because there is a risk that the tree will run out again and the root problem cannot be solved.

properties of the black poplar

The black poplar, also known as populus nigra , is characterized by its striking and structured dark gray, almost black bark. It has a wide and irregular crown, while the trunk is often provided with masy tubers and water travelers. Their leaves are diamond -shaped, 8 to 12 centimeters long and have a characteristic long -out tip. The flowers appear in April and are sexually separated on different trees. The propagation takes place by fluffy seeds, which come from the burst fruits, which enables the way to spread in different habitats.

The wood suitability of the black poplar is restricted. The wood is particularly suitable for the production of pallets, boxes and matches. In North America, similar -looking poplar species are called "Cottonwood". If you look at the ecological functions, they are particularly valuable in urban environments because they contribute to improving the urban climate and increasing air quality.

ecological relevance of city trees

The importance of city trees cannot be assessed high enough. They play an essential role in climate regulation by picking up carbon dioxide and giving oxygen, and they donate shadows, which is a significant advantage in heavily populated areas. Trees filter pollutants from the air and can also contribute to noise reduction. A well -maintained tree is a valuable part of urban water management that improves the infiltration rate of rainwater and reduces floods.

tree care is therefore an integral part of urban planning and helps to create a livable and sustainable environment. Regular inspection and maintenance of the trees can increase their durability and stability. In addition, citizen participation, for example through sponsorships, promotes awareness of the ecological advantages of city trees.

While the discussion about the development of the poplars is now temporarily completed, the district politicians are committed to a future consideration of alternatives to tree felling in order to better protect and maintain the valuable habitat in urban rooms.