Richard-Wagner-Platz, Charlottenburg, Berlin, April 2021
current
article: trees in Berlin
Trees die slowly
Trees are most valued as suppliers of oxygen (O2) and as recyclers of carbon dioxide (CO2), which in an overdose is toxic for us humans.
But that’s only part of the story.
Why are the trees painted white?
Understanding
C. Okonek
March 21 2021
reading time
3 min
Our Project in March 2021: Trees were painted with calk.
Painting trunks of a tree white is a very old tradition, seldom used these days
We used this tradition to achieve two goals: protecting the trees and changing the appearance of the streets to attract attention. Three trees have already been felled at this location.
The white lime color reflects the sun’s rays and helps the tree adapt to fast temperature changes during autumn and spring.
Richard-Wagner-Place, Charlottenburg, Berlin, April, 2021
The lime is very alkaline, which makes it difficult for pests to penetrate the bark. If the lime rains out with time, it can be regarded as a fertilizer (when the mixture was applied in its pure form). In autumn and spring, the temperature can vary greatly in a single day. This was the case in Berlin between March 31 and April 4, 2021. During this period, there was a temperature jump of 25 degrees. From -2 degrees at night, the temperature rose to 23 degrees the next day.
More city trees had to be felled because of long, dry periods in summer and winter. To make matters worse, the compaction of the soil reduces the water supply. Additional pollution, car exhaust fumes, and walking on the tree´s surrounding space (Baumscheiben) also reduce the metabolism in trees, which “starve” and as a consequence they get weak and sick. A harmful cycle has already begun.
The damage to the trees often shows up only after several years have passed.
More than 51 empty former tree places can be found between Krumme Straße and Schloßstraße. In this small area of Charlottenburg, around 14 trees have been felled since 2017, and several more will face the same fate.
New planting or maintenance of existing trees or planting new trees?
The city is trying to replant. However, it takes decades before a newly planted tree can help the urban climate —if it survives in the first place. Therefore, we must do everything we can to preserve existing trees.
Tree Nr. 62, Otto-Suhr-Allee, Charlottenburg
Silberlinde, 65 Jahre, 1953-2018, felled 2018
The roots of trees have a very difficult time in the city. The soil is mostly sealed. There is only a small opening, called the “tree disc”, through which the water can penetrate the soil. Most of the rainwater drains into the sewer system.
Vibrations and parked bicycles compact the soil on the tree disc, while sweepers whisk away the loose soil, which normally holds nutrients and soil organisms. (They have understood and lately try to change their working routines) Also, humans and animals pollute the soil.
These roots have been whitewashed for protection, to draw attention and make them more visible for sleepy dog owners at night.
Groundwater is pumped away through blue pipes. (Potsdamer Platz, 2017)
The groundwater is partially lowered. The underground system and other supply structures of the city take their place in the underground space, roots, sewage and water systems, lines for electricity, gas, and telephones are in stiff competition.
How can I help?
THE GOOD NEWS
Everyone can help preserve trees with small changes in their behavior. It helps to water a tree more often with several buckets of water. The ideal would be 60-100 l once a week, which is about 10 cans or 8 minutes with a water hose. In addition, open soil needs protection from compaction and the entry of toxins (urine, winter litter). Throw your refuse in trash cans and avoid stepping on the soil around the tree.
If everyone contributes a little part, no matter how small it is, the consequences will be far-reaching. Here, too, the result increases exponentially because more than 3.7 million people live in Berlin.
Many thanks!
Press release from October 20, 2020. District Office Charlottenburg.
The city tree campaign of the Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection will continue in spring 2021 in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district (…) up to 219 new trees can be planted (…) Furthermore, the district office is planting more trees on its own and is aiming for one balanced road tree balance because, unfortunately, 278 road trees must be removed by the end of February 2021 to ensure traffic safety and due to the implementation of various construction projects. Many of them are already dead or affected by rot and fungal attack. In 10% of the cases, a building project is the felling ground.
Quelle: https://www.berlin.de/ba-charlottenburg-wilmersdorf/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2020/pressemitteilung.1006010.php
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The tree as a circular system
The tree is part of our daily life even in a city. They filter and moisten the air and provide us with Oxygen. In summer time they let us sit under their canopy of leaves so we can enjoy a fresh air and coolness.
Why is that?
The water
as most important in many supply cycles
Water is one of the most important components to supply the organism, whether in animals, humans or plants.
How does it function for trees?
Why are the trees painted white?
Our project in April 2021
To paint the tree trunks white with lime is an ancient tradition. We used this knowledge for our project to protect the tree, at the same time we wanted to create new attention to them by visually changing the whole place. What was the reason behind?
Transpiration
Leaves emit moisture
Via tiny opening in the leaves that open and close as needed, called stomata, the tree releases moisture, which it has largely absorbed over the roots. How does this exchange work?
Carbon Cycle
In a natural environment, the different circulatory systems are interrelated and react to each other so that they want to remain in balance. If one of the cycles changes, it influences on all other systems.
Trees die slowly
March 28, 2021
Trees are generally valued for their production of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide.
But that’s just a part of the truth
The eco-performance of a tree
Its importance in the city
Trees belong to our daily life. We see them everywhere and often take them for granted. Do they have an impact on our city life?