There are trees all over the city. Cracked by heavy gusts of wind or fallen over on the street with roots and all. Beautiful trees that have sometimes been in our city for years have unfortunately died after the powerful storms Corrie, Dudley and Eunice. We asked the municipality what the damage is.
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The municipality of Zoetermeer received 94 reports of fallen trees. According to alderman Groeneveld, municipal employees worked day and night during the first few days to report and clean up the mess. Not all trees have been removed yet.
Leave it alone
In a nature reserve such as the Balijbos or the Bentwoud, it does not matter much if a tree falls. As long as the tree does not create an unsafe situation, it can remain in place. In our streets, on the roads and at our houses it is a different story. A fallen tree sometimes still has to be sawn, made small and removed.
The trunk and branches are often used to make wood chips. The municipality will look into whether old (monumental) trees can be used for furniture, for example. These trees are often of emotional value to the neighbourhood. It would be nice if the wood could be given a new purpose. And good to know: for every fallen tree, new greenery comes back.
More damage in Zoetermeer
In addition to the fallen trees, more damage has been reported to the municipality after the storms. The numbers involved are the following:
- Branches: 9
- Light poles: 3
- Traffic lights: 1
- Traffic signs: 2
- (Construction) fences: 4
- shelter: 3
- Glass: 1
- Real estate: 2