Anger in Neustrelitz: Christmas tree felled – citizens outraged!

Anger in Neustrelitz: Christmas tree felled – citizens outraged!

In Neustrelitz the waves are high because the beloved spruce tree on the market square, which was recently set up as a Christmas tree, is causing heated discussions. This spruce tree, which is an impressive 13 meters high and has a trunk diameter of 31 cm, was felled on Tuesday to make room for planned work on the combined sewer. Andreas Köhncke, the city green officer, emphasizes that the tree was healthy and beautiful. Nevertheless, this measure was necessary because the tree was in an urban area on Emil-Kraepelin-Straße and the felling was carried out as part of planned structural changes.

Residents are particularly affected. Petra Siegel and Caro S. express their displeasure at the loss of the tree, which for many was seen as a kind of shade provider and an ornament of the area. “That annoys me, I loved the view of this tree,” said Caro S. about the now missing view of the green jewel. These sentimental disappointments are mixed with the fact that a tree protection ordinance still applies in Neustrelitz, which only allows felling under certain conditions. The regulations are clear: A tree may only be felled with permission if it has a trunk circumference of more than 100 cm. Despite this protective framework, the tree protection statutes of the city of Neustrelitz have been repealed since 2013 and the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Nature Conservation Implementation Act applies.

The path to the Christmas tree

Every year, many Christmas trees in Neustrelitz are traditionally donated by private individuals. This year, however, an urban specimen was chosen: the spruce. The tree now adorns the market square and will be ceremoniously illuminated as part of the “Hofzauber” on Friday. But while the festive mood takes hold on the market square, the discussion about felling the tree does not go unnoticed.

It's not just the residents who are dissatisfied. Many people appreciate the importance of trees for the quality of life in urban areas. Trees not only provide habitat for animals, they also improve air quality and contribute to a better way of life. This also shows how important official control is when felling trees. A tree felling permit must be applied for in writing and the process can cost between 25 and 85 euros before the relevant authorities decide within three weeks whether to grant the permit or not. Felling without permission can even be punished with fines of up to 50,000 euros, as shown Horticulture.org is described.

What's next?

Nevertheless, the area on which the spruce stood remains in its current condition. Future measures include planting insect-friendly shrubs and creating a connecting path to the Glambecker See shore path. This potential could be realized in the next few weeks, which gives some residents confidence, even if the emotional wound of the tree felling is still fresh. The discussion will probably continue for a while, as the preservation of trees and nature should also be the focus of future construction projects, as on NABU is presented.

Overall, the situation in Neustrelitz remains tense. The local residents' heartfelt concerns and bureaucratic regulations must be reconciled. The next hearing will show whether the population's concerns are being heard.