Root pressure in Berlin: trees are preserved thanks to a clever city project!

Root pressure in Berlin: trees are preserved thanks to a clever city project!

The city of Berlin relies on innovative solutions to improve the city's climate and preserve its tree population. Ruhlsdorfer Straße in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is used as a prime example. According to a press release from berlin.de, measures were taken here last year to strengthen the tree substance, which made it possible to preserve 18 trees instead of felling them due to root problems.

The challenges posed by root growth in urban areas include uneven sidewalks, damaged bike paths, and shifting curbs. Calculations showed that the space for the trees was significantly increased by increasing the size of the tree disks and creating unsealed areas. These measures not only help to relieve the burden on the sewer system, but also promote rainwater infiltration.

Professional support and research

The project is supported by tree experts and the Technical University of Berlin, who are working together on a water-sensitive urban development concept. Initial results from so-called “tensile tests” to check the stability of the trees after unsealing show that all trees on Ruhlsdorfer Straße are stable. Doubts about the destruction of the static root system during the construction work were dispelled. Protective measures and professional planning have contributed to maintaining the health and stability of the trees.

In order to further investigate the effectiveness of the unsealing measure, permanent measurements of soil moisture are planned on Ruhlsdorfer Straße. The aim of these measurements is to gain insights into the benefits for the trees and the microclimate in the street.

Modern techniques for watering trees

Another example of the use of modern technologies is the pilot project in Bochum, where soil moisture sensors have been installed on various types of trees since May 2022. These sensors, which work as part of a smart city project, enable the water requirements of young and deciduous trees to be digitally determined. This targeted irrigation is particularly important during hot periods in order to counteract persistent dry periods, as reported on bochum-journal.de.

The sensor-based monitoring was integrated into municipal climate monitoring and also refers to a wide variety of tree species, whose resilience is being examined. Dendrochronological studies show that tree species such as the false acacia recover quickly from drought stress, while others such as the sycamore are less resilient.

Research shows that urban trees in heavily sealed locations suffer from water shortages, while trees growing in less sealed locations suffer significantly less from climate change. These results are crucial for the future planning and maintenance of urban trees and their ability to adapt to increasing heat and drought.