Tree felling is often a first-rate cause. Every felled tree has long been a symbol of the overexploitation of nature by humans. Therefore, many defend themselves when the chainsaws howl in their neighborhood. Even if the felling is authorized. They distrust mayors and city and local councils. The mood is upset. How else could it be in a district where one construction project after another is being carried out?
Three examples from Unterschleißheim and Haar show that the pressure to take tree protection seriously is growing. In Unterschleißheim, more than a thousand citizens put their signatures on a protest paper because 25 trees are to be removed for a school and a safe way to school. In Haar, when 32 trees were to be felled for a construction site, there was a storm of protest and local residents were spontaneously prepared to hold a sit-in to stop the felling of a single tree. In each of the three cases there are reasons to put the ax to the tree: sometimes a school needs more space, sometimes it’s a matter of road safety or a tree is simply rotten and has to be cut down because it would otherwise pose a danger .
But in the densely populated area around Munich, conflicts are intensifying and climate change is acting as a booster. Houses and asphalt heat up in summer. A high quality of life in densely populated communities can only be ensured with appropriate vegetation. On the other hand, extreme weather events are increasing. Trees suffer from the drought. And storms turn into hurricanes. And a tree like the one in Gronsdorf then becomes a danger.
It is striking that tree inspectors repeatedly complain about the poor condition of trees and use this argument to authorize felling. That is certainly not pretend, even if it suits some builders. Above all, however, it shows that trees often have too little space to develop and to be healthy and strong even as full-grown, mighty giants. Trees have all too often been planted as an alibi. Green must finally take up more space in the municipalities – and in the minds of those responsible.