Trees are regularly felled in Zoetermeer. This happens because trees are sick, create an unsafe situation or because something else has to take its place. This also applies to the Voorweg, where a beautiful ash tree has stood for decades, on the site of the former construction playground. The tree disappeared overnight.
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Our editors received messages in December from concerned residents who were surprised by the sudden absence of the tree: Would you be able to find out how it is possible that last summer weeks were spent working on a reinforcement to allow this tree to stand and it has now been cut down? Unfortunately, we cannot investigate this for every felled tree (even if we would like to) but due to the multiple reactions, we have contacted the municipality in this case to ask what the situation is.
Ash tree death
A spokesperson for the municipality says that on September 1, 2020, damage caused by ash branch mortality was detected from the Tree Safety Control (BVC) and that the ash showed signs of death.
At the same time, the Wilsveen and Voorweg dike improvement project was also started by the Rijnland Water Board. The intention was to preserve various trees along the Wilsveen and Voorweg. That is why all kinds of measures have been taken. This also happened with the ash on the Voorweg. Further on, the waterfront has been reinforced by adding soil. This is to support the ash tree, but also to prepare for the possible planting of a new tree.
Annoying mushrooms
A year later, the es was checked again on June 7, 2021. Unfortunately, during this inspection, ash branch deaths were again found, but also fungal infestation by the flat tinder fungus. This fungus affects the root system. A further technical investigation took place in July. The advice was to prune back the crown of the tree strongly and fell the tree. According to the municipality, this meant reprieve and the natural habitus of the ash tree would have been lost. In view of the safety of the public area and the duty of care, the decision was made to cut down the ash.
The municipality of Zoetermeer is the last to announce that a new tree will be planted on the site of the removed ash tree, if it succeeds this spring. A winter lime is coming.