The Day of the Tree
A day of honour for Bocholt's trees
25 April is Arbor Day in Germany - and has been for more than 70 years. The action day was initiated in 1952 by the Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald e.V. (German Association for the Protection of Forests) in order to "draw attention to the heavy loss of forests due to the war".
In Bocholt, the respective annual tree is planted on Arbor Day, which is chosen annually by the "Tree of the Year" association of the Dr. Silvius Wodarz Foundation. More than 32 environmental organisations committed to protecting the forest are involved in the association's board of trustees.
Way of the Year Trees
The 6.5-hectare green strip between the Annette von Droste-Hülshoff School and the Lowick district has been the path of the annual trees since 2013. Since then, the annual trees have been planted there every year on Arbor Day.
Walkers have the opportunity to get to know the annual trees and learn interesting facts about them. After planting, a leaflet with information about the respective tree is attached to each tree, along with the name of the tree sponsor. Sponsorships are open to Bochol residents as well as local businesses and associations.
What does a tree sponsorship cost?
Interested citizens of Bocholt can sponsor an annual tree for 500 euros. The costs already include the purchase and planting of the trees as well as their care.
Interested? Then please get in touch!
History of the Bocholt Annual Trees and Tree Sponsors
| Year | Tree species | Tree sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bog Birch(Betula pubescens) | German-British Society |
| 2022 | Europeanbeech (Fagus sylvatica) | Logata Digital Solutions GmbH |
| 2021 | Holly (Ilex aquifolium) | Petra and Detlf S. Schultz |
| 2020 | Bogus acacia (Robinia pseudoacia) | Municipal Agricultural Association |
| 2019 | Fluttering elm (Ulmus laevis) | Beekeepers' Association |
| 2018 | Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) | Electric dog |
| 2017 | Red spruce (Picea abies) | Jusa e.V. |
| 2016 | Large-leaved linden (Tilia cordata) | Ulrich Krabbe |
| 2015 | Field Maple (Acer campestre) | Gisela Pieron |
| 2014 | Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) | Sonja and Bernhard Krabbe |
| 2013 | Wild apple (Malus sylvestris) | Disposal and service company |
| 2012 | European larch (Larix decidua) | Adult Education Centre Bocholt-Isselburg |
| 2011 | Service tree(Sorbus torminalis) | Social Service of Catholic Women Bocholt |
| 2010 | Bird cherry (Prunus avium) | Child Protection Association Bocholt |
| 2009 | Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) | Alliance for the Family Bocholt |
| 2008 | Walnut (Juglans regia) | B'90 The Greens Bocholt |
| 2007 | Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) | Music School Bocholt-Isselburg |
| 2006 | Black poplar (Populus nigra) | Hainke & Iding GmbH |
| 2005 | Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) | Mrs Priemer |
| 2004 | Silver fir (Abies alba) | Marriage, family and life counselling |
| 2003 | Black alder (Alnus glutinosa) | already present* |
| 2002 | Juniper (Juniperus communis) | Hummingbird |
| 2001 | Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) | already present* |
| 2000 | Sand birch (Betula pendula) | Garden design Buthmann |
| 1999 | Silver willow (Salix alba) | already present* |
| 1998 | Wild pear (Pyrus communis) | CDU parliamentary group Bocholt |
| 1997 | Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) | Caritas Bocholt |
| 1996 | Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) | SKM Catholic Association for Social Services Bocholt |
| 1995 | Norwaymaple (Acer platanoides) | Bocholt Citizens' Cooperative |
| 1994 | Yew (Taxus baccata) | Christa and Andre Leder |
| 1993 | Speierling (Sorbus domestica) | Nabu |
| 1992 | Mountain elm (Ulmus glabra) | Families Education Centre |
| 1991 | Europeanbeech (Fagus sylvatica) | SPD parliamentary group Bocholt |
| 1990 | English oak (Quercus robur) | already present* |
* Trees already partially present
The annual trees of the years 1990, 1999, 2001 and 2003 have no tree sponsors. Why? These trees were already present in the park along the "Way of the Year Trees" - and were therefore not newly planted with the support of tree sponsors.