Pasewalk blooms: 34 new trees for a greener morning!

Pasewalk blooms: 34 new trees for a greener morning!

A mild autumn day in Vorpommern-Greifswald was used for an important planting campaign on the day of German unity. Under the direction of Mario Runge, a gardening maker from Torgelow, a total of 34 maple trees were planted along Kreisstraße 70 between Pasewalk and Stolzenburg. These “French castle aham” come from a tree nursery in Pinneberg and close some of the tree gaps that were created in the region.

The initiative goes back to a long-term decision of the district council, which has been inviting this event annually on October 3 for five years. Ultimately, however, there is far more than just a ceremony behind the campaign: District Administrator Michael Sack (CDU) expresses that the planting campaign is about "getting down from our tree debts." At the moment, the district has to struggle with a tree debt of over 4200 trees caused by felling due to storm damage and safety aspects. In 2023, 182 trees were even felled, while only 363 could be planted in the same period.

Restrictions by household situation

An essential obstacle to a massive reforestation is the financial situation of the district. It costs around 1000 euros to plant a new tree, and given the tense budget situation, only around 42,000 euros are available for plantations this year. For comparison: in the previous year it was around 190,000 euros.

According to the sack, adjustments in the plant regulations are to be made in order to integrate smaller and younger trees, which could also save costs. The tree debts of the district are burdening not only the environment, but also the health insurers, in which many incomplete avenues can be found.

"It is not just a symbol, but a necessity," continued Sack. In the first months of 2023 alone, storms demanded around 600 Allen trees. Nevertheless, the number of reproductions is often dependent on the availability of suitable locations that could become even more limited in the future, since various supply media make plants difficult.

BUND is optimistic

The campaign not only encourages the employees of the horticultural company, but also in environmental associations. Katharina Dujesiefken, consultant for tree and avenue protection at the BUND MV, praises the initiative: "The district campaign for uniform digging is very good. Vorpommern-Greifswald is the only district that does this." However, Dujesiefken emphasizes the need to also reduce the plant debts.

While the initiative has found somewhat positive response, the district remains a bottom in the country in terms of tree debt. Also among the participants in the planting campaign, Christine Bahr, a cardiologist from Pasewalk, who is committed to her future and emphasizes: "Planting trees is a good thing that extends far into the future."

The planting campaign on the day of German unity not only is an attempt to reduce the tree debt of the district, but also a symbolic act to work in public for environmental protection and sustainability. Details on this initiative and the other challenges can be found www.nordkurier.de .