Great concern among tree protectors in Groningen: has the monumental walnut tree of Friday already shed its leaves for the last time, while the last word has not yet been spoken?
What is going on?
The monumental tree in the courtyard of the former music school Friday Sint Jansstraat in Groningen is likely to be felled one of these days, while legal proceedings against the felling of trees are still underway.
What kind of tree is it?
An approximately 20 meter high Ginkgo biloba . The Japanese walnut tree from 1960 is in accordance with a research in good condition and has a high future expectation. It already towers above the existing buildings of Vrijdag. This famous tree species can easily grow to be 100 years old and much taller (up to 35 meters). There are trees in Japan that are said to be 1,000 years old. It is not affected by diseases or vermin and is windproof (useful near the Forum).
Why does that tree have to go?
Groningen wants to merge the arts centers for music, visual arts (Walstraat) and theater (Noorderbuitensingel) on the site of the music school between the provincial government building and the Forum. The complex will also include offices, apartments and business premises. The stone monuments in the block remain standing, more recent buildings are replaced.
Architectural combination NEXT/Koschuch did not have to take the tree into account for the new construction. The result: he now has to leave because, according to the municipality, the surrounding new construction will be too high and the future courtyard will be too small for the ever-expanding tree crown.
Additional soil research showed that the tree cannot be moved. Proponents and opponents of felling completely agree with this, but the opponents draw a different conclusion than the municipality: the tree should not be felled, but should therefore remain standing.
Who climbed into the pen?
Bond Heemschut, Groningen City Center Residents Association and Bomenridders Foundation objected to the plans. They point out the great importance of large trees in the petrified city center and believe that they should have been taken into account in the Plan of Requirements for Friday. Just as a little further away, no effort is spared to preserve the beech on the terrace of the Feithhuis.
The Bomenridders Foundation went to court this summer when the municipality wanted to cut down the tree before the objection committee had ruled. The court still ordered the city to wait for this. The procedure was completed at the end of November. Outcome: the tree can be flattened because the general interest is greater than a ginkgo.
The objection committee immediately declared the Bomenridders foundation inadmissible. They have been protesting for years against the destruction of valuable old trees in the city that should not actually be cut down and yet – in the urban development context of such a neighborhood – disappear. She is afraid that all indoor gardens will disappear in this way.
And now?
The Bomenridders Foundation immediately went to court (again) and appealed, with financial support from tree knights and others who are passionately committed to this tree and trees in general.
Rumors that the felling will take place this week are nevertheless causing great concern among members and supporters. That’s no wonder. They will never forget that the municipality casually cut down a few trees near the Der Aa Church in 2020, while the Council of State still had to consider a provisional measure. The city council, which is passionate about greenery, did not let justice take its course.
The question is whether that will happen now. Friday has already moved to temporary accommodation. The demolition of the complex will start in January and will last six months. The new building should be ready by the end of 2026. The building block and surrounding walking paths (which will become construction sites) have already been fenced off.