Storm Poly chopped heavily into the Haarlem tree stock. That hurts, but the Haarlem Bomenridders continue to fight for the preservation of trees in the city. Even if it ‘only’ concerns a single tree in the garden of a private individual.
Harry Hobo of the Haarlemse Bomenridders points to a large, red beech on the Koninginneweg in Haarlem. “That tree was tested in April. It can certainly last another fifteen years.”
car port
But the monumental tree is threatened in its survival: the municipality has issued a building permit for the construction of a carport, right next to the tree. Hobo: “That is very bad for the tree. A foundation has to be laid and then you cut the roots. Moreover, the soil is compacted when cars are parked there. Then it gets less oxygen. It can eventually cost the tree its head.”
Bomenridders Haarlem is a foundation that stands up for trees in the city. “For example, we object if trees threaten to be felled unjustly,” explains Harry Hobo. And the foundation also does this in the case of the red beech on the Koninginneweg.
“The municipality turned like a leaf on a tree”
A strange thing, says Hobo. “At first the municipality asserted that we are not a party to this file, that our objections are inadmissible. But four hours before the hearing, the municipality turned like a leaf on the tree and we were suddenly admissible. Incidentally, several neighbors also objected here and collected signatures.”
Iconic tree
The result of the hearing is still awaited, but Hobo hopes for a positive result. “This beautiful red beech really is an iconic tree in the street. When it is gone, you will really miss it. We really have to cherish these kinds of trees. Those large trees provide cooling on hot days. That can really make a difference of sixteen degrees. Trees keep the city livable.”
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Storm Poly knocked down a striking number of trees in Haarlem. Harry Hobo: “That was also an extreme storm, but you see that many trees are not well rooted. If you plant a tree, the planting hole really has to be big enough. You have to give a tree a good start. Then it can root up to ten meters deep and the tree falls much less quickly.”
Map turns deep red
In Haarlem, steps are being taken to protect the trees. For example, there is a new tree ordinance. But that doesn’t save the trees, Hobo believes. “There is nothing yet about digging trenches for laying cables. That often happens too close to the tree and then you destroy the roots. And if there are any rules, they are often not enforced.”
According to the Haarlemse Bomenridders, too often the number of trees is considered and not the quality. Hobo: “You don’t just have to count stems. It’s also about the crown cover: that the trees are so big that they provide a lot of shade. That crown cover in Haarlem is far below the desired thirty percent.”
Hobo shows a map with the crown cover in Haarlem: except for the Haarlemmerhout and an edge of Schalkwijk, the map turns deep red. That has to be improved and that is why the Haarlemse Bomenridders continue to fight for the trees. So also for the monumental red beech on the Koninginneweg.
Harry Hobo: “It is not yet clear when the verdict of that hearing will come. But if we lose the case, we will go to court. But I don’t think the residents are the angriest. They can also choose to build the carport further from the tree. The garden is large enough.”
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