Tree murder in Hesse: Threatened with glyphosate over 200 years old!

Tree murder in Hesse: Threatened with glyphosate over 200 years old!

Riedstadt, Hessen, Deutschland - What's up in Riedstadt? The Goddelau district is currently on everyone's lips, because here ten trees, including the over 200 year old Karl-Spengler-Eiche, have been badly damaged. This natural monument, which is located on a walk and on an unpaved dirt road, is currently victims of a suspected gift attack that seems to be a habit in Hesse. According to Wetterauer Zeitung , an unknown perpetrator put holes in the tree trunks and the herbizid glyphosat introduced to let the trees die internally.

The first signs of a disease on the trees were found at the end of May when the Spengler oak and other oaks looked unhealthy. At first experts suspected drought or pest infestation, but further tests confirmed the presence of glyphosate. The Hessen crop protection service found that the drillhols were mechanically manufactured, which means that nobody is responsible for this destruction. Similar damage was discovered on more trees in Goddelau, including a walnut and a horse chestnut.

a shocking trend

These incidents are part of a worrying series of alleged poison attacks on trees in Hesse. In addition to Riedstadt, there were also incidents in Frankfurt, where two plane trees on Merianplatz had to be fell last, and in Limburg and a further suspicion in Butzbach, such as News-Stadt . Mayor Marcus Kretschmann already speaks of "tree murder" and calls for a determined approach to these unscrupulous deeds.

The destruction of trees by chemical agents is not only morally questionable, but also legally punishable. "Trees are part of our local identity, habitat for animals and contribute significantly to climate protection," emphasizes the mayor and calls on the population to report references to suspicious people or vehicles. The city of Riedstadt has already exposed a reward of 500 euros for references to taking the perpetrator and filed a complaint against unknown

Investigations run

The police have started the investigation. There is a suspicion that there is a systematic approach behind the attacks. The case was handed over to the environmental crime department of the Darmstadt crime directorate, which is now taking a close look at the events. These massive attacks on nature in Hesse must be stopped before even more trees are irrevocably damaged.

The population is called to be vigilant and keep an eye on their surroundings. Information can be given to the local police station or any other police station. In times when climate protection is more important than ever before, we should do everything we can to protect our nature and put a stop to such offenses.