Hedelfingen is waiting: When will the new chestnut tree come to the Löwen area?

Hedelfingen is waiting: When will the new chestnut tree come to the Löwen area?

In Stuttgart, the citizens of Hedelfingen have been waiting for a year and a half for a chestnut tree to be replanted at the “Löwen-Areal” on Hedelfinger Platz. The tree was removed in spring 2024, but the planned replanting was delayed due to other city priorities. An important on-site meeting that would have been necessary for the vote on planting did not take place until July 29th. City spokeswoman Frederike Myhsok confirmed that the felled chestnut would be replaced. At the moment, the exact planting location still needs to be determined as underground pipes could affect this. However, at the moment the weather conditions are too warm for planting.

However, the situation for chestnuts in Stuttgart is not just local. The bacterium poses a serious problemPseudomonas syringaewhich endangers the existence of chestnut trees. This bacterium, which was introduced from India after the turn of the millennium, causes chestnut trees to “bleed” and the bark to crack. These symptoms make them susceptible to fungal attack and wood destruction. Matthias Holzmann, head of the forestry and service operations department, reports an increase in diseases in chestnuts. Exact figures on tree loss in Stuttgart are not available, but there is a worrying trend.

Climate change and its consequences

The effects of climate change are responsible for many of these problems. Extreme drought in particular increases the susceptibility of chestnut trees to diseases and pests. In Stuttgart, around 1,000 street trees have to be watered with watering carts every day in order to increase their chances of survival. The city has approximately 40,000 street trees and a total of 185,000 trees, with outside contractors and the volunteer fire department being used to assist with watering. In the future, the city plans to further expand the irrigation system, including using treated wastewater. Citizens are also encouraged to water the trees in front of their houses themselves.

Another threat factor is the chestnut leaf miner, which has been widespread in Germany since the 1990s. Experts estimate that around half of all chestnuts in Germany are infected. Both old stands and young trees are affected. While old trees survive the pathogen better, young chestnuts often die after just a few years. This problem requires urgent measures to improve the framework conditions so that the trees are strengthened. In the long term, it is essential to keep an eye on the infestation situation and, if necessary, remove affected trees in order not to endanger traffic safety.

The challenges facing the chestnut trees in Stuttgart are complex and require coordinated action to preserve these important urban trees. The upcoming replanting at Hedelfinger Platz is just a small step in a larger fight against the diseases that threaten many chestnut trees in the city and beyond.