Meerbad Park's iconic trees fight for survival amid drought and soil damage
The beech and oak trees along Büdericher Allee in Meerbad Park are struggling to survive. Many now show dead branches and thinning canopies, raising concerns about their future. City officials warn that, without intervention, these trees may only last a few more years under current conditions. The decline of the trees stems from two main problems: worsening drought and severely compacted soil. Years of foot traffic, maintenance vehicles, and large public events have turned the ground rock-hard, suffocating the roots. Peter Schoppe-Tscheschlogg, deputy head of the city’s Parks and Green Spaces department, has expressed growing alarm over the situation.
To combat the issue, the city has launched a €25,000 rescue operation, partly funded by a grant from KfW Bank. Workers are using compressed-air lances to break up the compacted earth around each tree. They then inject a special blend of worm humus, structural substrate, and symbiotic fungal cultures into the soil. Damian Jörren, who oversees the project, compares the treatment to a vitamin shot for the trees. The injections aim to kickstart nutrient cycles and revive beneficial microbial activity in the soil. The city has also fenced off the affected areas, urging visitors to stay out and prevent further damage to the roots.
The success of the treatment will determine whether the trees can recover from years of stress. If effective, the method could extend their lifespan and improve the health of Meerbad Park’s green spaces. For now, the city continues to monitor progress while asking the public to respect the fenced-off zones.
