Sequoia tree died after being transplanted – safety felling necessary!

Sequoia tree died after being transplanted – safety felling necessary!

The city of Eschwege is facing a tree felling tragedy that deeply affects many citizens. A 30-year-old sequoia tree, which was supposed to be immortalized after being transplanted from Nikolaiplatz near the cemetery, unfortunately now had to be removed. Despite extensive preparatory work and the assessment of experts, the tree did not survive the transplant and was removed during the autumn holidays HNA reported.

In the course of the redesign of Nikolaiplatz, the transplant became necessary. The organizers and those responsible had expected high levels of stress, as large trees such as sequoias are delicate patients. Markus Reiter, who is responsible for tree care, emphasizes that older trees in particular often have difficulty surviving when transplanted. The vitality of the sequoia tree was initially assessed as good; its roots were still relatively little spread at this point.

The challenge of transplanting

Sequoia trees have a shallow root system, which provides adequate stability and aids in nutrient absorption. These special roots spread horizontally near the surface of the earth and can grow up to 30 meters long. This is a challenge in itself, especially in urban environments where available space is often limited, such as this Garden Journal explained.

After root treatment and soil improvement, the sequoia tree was moved with a special round spade machine and everything was done to maximize its chances of survival. But the stress caused by the transplanting seems to have taken a toll on the tree. After just a few weeks, passers-by noticed that the tree's vitality seemed to be dwindling. This finally culminated in May when the tree no longer showed any signs of life and had to be removed in the fall for safety reasons.

A new beginning in the city park

Felling was originally intended to be avoided in order not to disturb breeding birds. But now things are moving on: a new primeval sequoia is planned to be planted in autumn as a symbolic successor to the old tree. Those responsible hope that this new tree will be able to grow better in a location in the city park that was chosen because of its spaciousness and good soil conditions.

In addition to the redesign of Nikolaiplatz, city officials plan to plant a total of 20 climate-resistant trees. These new plants are supplied with a clever system that uses collected surface water - a step in the right direction to meet future challenges in urban green maintenance. This not only reduces the ecological footprint, but also makes the city a bit more livable.