Beyond the felling ban:
Heat islands are not limited to metropolitan areas. Even in hotspots of smaller communities, the quality of life declines wherever temperatures remain uncomfortably high well into the night. And this is often where there is a lack of efficient cooling tree canopies. But how can “green climate devices” be maintained in the long term in built-up areas of all sizes? This study looks for successful examples.
Study >Preserve Green Climate Power Plants<
The Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm Nature Conservation Association e.V. (BN) is looking for new strategies to preserve trees after initiatives in favor of tree protection ordinances were repeatedly rejected by the municipalities approached. With the support of the Pfaffenhofen district local action group (LAG) as part of the LEADER civic engagement project, the BN commissioned Annette Hartmann (FLL tree inspector) with the study “Green climate power plants preserve: Positive approaches for the preservation of trees in settlement areas”.
Hartmann was asking progressive local authorities in Germany and abroad to get in touch with her and provide information by telephone about successful tree preservation measures and their implementation beyond the felling ban.
Only German cities showed interest.
“Best practices” collection saves money
Whether it’s systematically installed structural protection for tree grates, maintenance cost subsidies for owners of old trees or a suction excavator regulation for pipeline construction – some cities and municipalities are already promoting their existing trees. But there are certainly other good ideas.
To ensure that local authorities no longer have to experiment on their own, measures that have already been implemented elsewhere should be recorded and bundled into a collection. (It is not always possible to illustrate conservation measures – the examples in this text are therefore partly placeholders).
Prehistory and learning experiences are precious
Special attention is also paid to the respective local political introduction: How was the effort for tree preservation made acceptable to the decision-making bodies, the administration and the public? What learning experiences did the implementation offer and how well did which measure work? (How) Is tree preservation reflected in the cityscape? On-site visits are planned for selected examples; however, the study mainly relies on telephone interviews with the pioneers of positive conservation approaches.
Good solutions for everyone
In addition to the research report with a collection of “best practices”, a model urban green ordinance is being developed specifically for rural areas. The first results should be available in fall 2025. Municipalities can participate anonymously or be mentioned in the arboriculture press; each will receive the research results in any case.
Sorry, the time slot for particapation endet in Juli 2025.
First output of the study will be published in early 2026.
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