Salzburg protects trees: New regulation for sustainable urban development

Salzburg protects trees: New regulation for sustainable urban development

The city of Salzburg recently took a decisive step towards climate protection with a comprehensive amendment to its tree protection ordinance. With this new regulation, the city administration wants to highlight and protect the important contribution of trees to the urban climate. “The trees help to cool down our city and make a crucial contribution to mitigating the effects of extreme temperatures,” said Planning Councilor Anna Schiester.

By updating the regulation introduced in 1992, the protection of trees is now regulated more clearly and comprehensively. Instead of only protecting selected tree species with specific trunk thicknesses, all trees with a trunk diameter of 55 centimeters or more are now protected from felling. This measure is intended to help better preserve the city's tree population and make an active contribution to combating climate change.

Innovations to preserve trees

Another important innovation concerns replacement planting. If protected trees still need to be felled, replacement plantings will be required on the same property. These new regulations specifically require that trees such as the Norway maple and the winter lime be planted in the future. These species are particularly adaptable to the climatic challenges facing the city.

In addition to felling protection, the new regulation also places greater emphasis on species protection. The administration now has the option of prohibiting interventions in treetops during the breeding season of certain birds in order to protect the animals. These measures demonstrate the city's commitment to sustainable and future-oriented development.

A specific example mentioned in this context is the large Christmas tree that is set up annually on the cathedral square. However, having reached a height of almost 30 meters last year, it will now have to be felled to find its place in the city. Such decisions illustrate the balancing act of preserving the beauty and habitat of urban nature while maintaining traditions and celebrations.

These new measures to protect trees are a step in the right direction to ensure the long-term health of the city of Salzburg and its environment. The implementation of this regulation ensures that the city's green lungs can continue to provide a pleasant climate and emphasizes the need to live in harmony with nature.

For further information about the changes in the Tree Protection Ordinance and the associated measures, we recommend reading the detailed report on www.sn.at to read.