15. February 2023
Planning and building
35 new trees planted on Herzogstraße
There are now 35 new trees along Bocholt's Herzogstraße. The Japanese cordwood trees have been planted to replace the chestnut trees that have been affected by chestnut blight. This has been spreading in Central Europe for several years. "The bacterial disease has been occurring on horse chestnuts in Germany since 2007," says Peter Schlabs from the city's Urban Green and Environment Division.
First cracks, then fungal infestation
If a tree is infested, black spots first form on the bark of the trunk. In the further course, clearly visible cracks form. "In the advanced stage, there is visible fungal growth and parts of the crown die because they are no longer supplied with nutrients and water," says Schlabs.
"The bacteria create entry ports that enable the fungi to penetrate the tree," explains Schlabs. As a result, the infested chestnuts cannot remain standing: If the wood becomes rotten, branches could fall onto the cycle paths and footpaths, and traffic safety is then no longer guaranteed.
The sidewalk and cycle path renovation on Herzogstraße was a good opportunity to replace the diseased trees, he said. "We combined that," says city building officer Daniel Zöhler. In the past five years, in view of the upcoming renovation on Herzogstraße, the replanting of trees was not carried out, says the city building officer. This has now been done.
Tree locations enlarged
In the course of the renovation work on Herzogstraße, the locations for the trees have been extensively improved. Eight cubic metres of soil alone were replaced at each site, and special tree substrate was used to prolong the life of the trees.
Thirty-five trees of the Sophora japonica "Princeton Upright" variety were planted. These are very adaptable and can better withstand longer periods of drought, which have occurred more frequently in recent years.