Berlin's Besselpark loses 25 horse chestnut trees to deadly bacterial outbreak

Berlin’s Besselpark is losing 25 horse chestnut trees to a bacterial outbreak. The decision comes as Germany faces broader challenges with urban tree loss and limited replanting efforts. Officials and environmental groups have raised concerns about the long-term impact on cities. In Besselpark, 70 percent of the horse chestnut trees are infected with the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi. This has forced authorities to remove the affected trees. No replacements will be planted before the end of 2027 due to staffing shortages and tight budgets.

Across Germany, urban trees are under threat from multiple pressures. NABU highlights limited root space, extreme weather, and pollution from vehicles as major issues. Over the past seven years, cities have lost 900,000 trees. Currently, only seven cities meet the recommended 30 percent tree cover for healthy urban environments.

The European Union aims to plant three billion trees by 2030, with Germany pledged to contribute 16 million. However, Julia Schneider of the Green Party argues this is not enough. Barbara Metz, federal managing director of DUH, warns that without action, cities could turn into concrete deserts. Professor Ulf Stein stresses the role of urban trees in improving local climates. The removal of infected trees in Besselpark reflects wider struggles in German cities. With no immediate replanting planned, the loss adds to growing concerns about urban greenery. Experts underline the need for stronger measures to protect and expand tree cover.