Amsterdam uses tree bunkers for more greenery in the city
The municipality is investing early in the construction of tree bunkers. This makes it possible to store water for trees in places where it was previously impossible to grow tall trees. Meanwhile, construction at the Oosterdokskade, where a new office building is being completed, is in full swing.
For years, the municipality has been challenged to ensure that there is enough greenery in the city, but at the same time to build a lot. Construction regularly causes trees to disappear or large surfaces of stone or concrete to remain behind. Not conducive to the growth of plants and trees.
Parking garage
That is why there is the tree bunker, which is already bearing fruit in various parts of the city. For example, this technique is used by the Beursplein and the Amstel station. Tree expert Hans Kaljee is lyrical about the approach. “We are now on the roof of the parking garage, which is now being made leak-tight,” he says at the Oosterdokskade. “Then we open crates and they are filled with water during wet periods. We use tampons to ensure that the water is drawn up and that benefits the trees.”
Enough water
The bunkers are filled with specially prepared soil in which the trees can thrive and are then capped with special pavers that allow water to pass through. Because annual water from autumn and winter can be stored in this system, each tree can still be distributed over sufficient water during dry periods.
It is the future for big trees in the city, tree expert Kaljee expects. “We will use these types of techniques more often in the future, such as the tree bunker that is needed to become green in the city at all,” he says. “It always blows along the IJ here. So the trees are evaporating all day long. They just need some moisture, so you have to do something to make them grow optimally.”
A few tens of meters away, in front of the OBA at the Oosterdok, there are three relatively small trees. “Those have been there for 15 years and this is about it,” says Kaljee. “Fifteen years ago, not as much attention was paid to the growing location of the trees as we do here.” So no tree bunkers and do not create the optimal conditions to grow into a large tree.
And that’s in a warm city when temperatures rise in the summer where residents should enjoy it. “Eighteen pieces come here and then it is wonderful to be here during the battle and to stay under the trees,” said the tree expert. “So it’s actually to make and keep the city more pleasant.”
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