Trembling aspen planted along the path of the annual trees

A trembling aspen has been planted in the Bocholt-Feldmark park to mark Arbor Day. This year, the German-Syrian Association Bocholt e.V. is sponsoring the Tree of the Year 2026, adding another specimen to the city's trail of annual trees.

The planting of the trembling aspen took place on 24 April 2026 on the so-called Path of Annual Trees. Muaiad Abd Alrahman, Chairman of the German-Syrian Association Bocholt e.V., was present at the morning event. City planning officer Dave Welling, Peter Schlabs from the Urban Greenery and Environment division and the city's integration officer Bruno Wansing accompanied the event on behalf of the city council.

The path of annual trees is an approximately 6.5-hectare green strip that stretches between the Annette-von-Droste-Hülshoff School and the Lowick district. The city of Bocholt has been using this area to plant the current annual trees every year since 2013. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the different tree species during a walk. In order to provide interesting background knowledge, a fact sheet with information about the respective tree is attached to each tree after planting. The name of the tree sponsors will also be noted on this sign. The sponsorship is open to all Bocholters as well as local companies and associations. "We have now planted 36 annual trees and even a millennium tree in Bocholt", says Peter Schlabs, Head of Urban Greenery and Environment.

This year, the German-Syrian Association Bocholt has taken over the tree sponsorship. "We would like to thank the people of Bocholt for their great support in recent years and give back a small symbolic gift with the tree", explains Muaiad Abd Alrahman, chairman of the association.

The occasion for the regular planting is Arbor Day, which is traditionally celebrated in Germany on 25 April. The day of action has existed for more than 70 years and was launched in 1952 by the Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald e.V. (German Forest Protection Association). The annual tree planted in Bocholt is proclaimed every year by the "Tree of the Year" association of the Dr Silvius Wodarz Foundation. More than 32 environmental organisations are involved in its board of trustees for the protection of local forests.