Trees for the garden city: 150 new plants for a better climate!

Trees for the garden city: 150 new plants for a better climate!

In the Ludwigshafen Gartenstadt, a remarkable initiative has developed to green the district in recent years. Between 2021 and 2024 a total of 530 trees had to be felled, which the settler community Niederfeld and the city administration moved to actively promote the planting of new trees. The chairman of the settler association, Markus Lemberger, emphasizes the enormous importance of trees for the city climate and the quality of life of the citizens.

As part of the "Citizens donate trees" campaign, 150 new trees could now be replanted. These were distributed to different green areas in three large planting campaigns. Ten young trees were set at a particularly distinctive point, the green area on Karlsbader Straße, corner of Petersstraße. These young trees, between 4 and 5 meters high and 10 to 15 years old, include climate -resistant species such as maple and oak. The aim of the initiative is to plant a total of 200 trees in order to strengthen the local environment.

economic aspects of tree planting

However, the city administration of Ludwighafen has limited funds for replacing trees. A tree sponsorship costs 250 euros, with donors receiving proof with aerial photo of the location. However, the actual costs for a tree planting are between 1200 and 1500 euros, which makes the financing of the projects challenging. A seedling costs between 350 and 400 euros depending on the tree species, plus additional expenses for soil work and care.

fundraising campaigns prove to be essential to close the financial gaps. In addition, many donors advertise that memorial trees are often donated for special occasions such as anniversaries or weddings. Companies such as the Sparkasse Vorderpfalz and the VR-Bank Rhein-Neckar have also been involved and donated ten trees each.

planting methods and care concept

In order to secure the survival rate of the trees, they are regularly watered and fertilized up to the eighth year of life. Furthermore, the trees are supported with wooden posts, which are deeper into the ground in order to promote root growth. A layer of lava stones around the trees also helps to improve water intake.

In addition to the 150 trees donated by the citizens' initiative, the “Green Circle” planted 58 trees and 80 street trees in Ludwigshafen and 80 street trees were set by a federal funding program (Kipki). The community continues to be active and has provided residual funds for further tree plantings. Smaller donations are also welcome and the community issues corresponding donation certificates.

The commitment of the settler community and the city administration sets a sign of the importance of trees in urban rooms. At a time when climate protection is becoming increasingly important, this is an exemplary example that is worth copying. Further information and the possibility of support can be obtained via the baumretter-projekt as well as via the donation account (IBAN DE89 5455 0010 0193 1355 89).