Dutch climate trees in Bratislava

Dutch climate trees planted in Bratislava, Slovakia! On December 2, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Slovakia Gabriella Sancisi and mayor of Bratislava Matúš Vallo, planted together Dutch climate trees which are part of a bigger project to green the city. The Netherlands is contributing to the 10.000 trees initiative of Bratislava with 82 trees that are specifically selected in view of the positive role of green in urban areas. Greening the City is important in view of climate change, biodiversity, better air quality and liveability.

Beeld: ©Marek Velcek

Greening the City

Green in the City can play an important role in climate adaptation. It has a cooling effect in summer and increases the water infiltration capacity. So it has a positive effect both when there is severe rain as well as store water for periods of drought. Green in the cities is specifically combatting the so-called Urban Heat Island effects: large scale concrete masses (sidewalks, building etc) that create extra radiation heat in the warm summers. Especially the larger trees, such as the Dutch climate trees, can mitigate this effect. In studies it is found it can decrease the temperature with several degrees (2-4 degrees) and create a Park Cool Island effect.

Beeld: ©Roy van Setten

10.000 trees initiative

In 2019, the mayor of Bratislava launched the 10.000 trees initiative. As part of the initiative, the capital of Slovakia is working on a plan for the systematic renewal and sustainability of trees. Since 2019, they have planted 3,620 mature trees, 17,488 bushes and 20,600 seedlings.

According to the mayor of Bratislava the 10.000 trees is important because:

  • They relieve the heat in summer; Influencing the microclimate also depends on the amount of planted trees. In summer, trees provide shade and cool their surroundings better and more efficiently than any air conditioner.
  • They reduce noise; Trees and bushes also act as a noise barrier. A strip of trees 10 m wide reduces noise by 1-6 dB.
  • They improve the air quality; Trees act as a filter that binds dust, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other pollutants in the air. In cities, deciduous trees capture up to 27% and conifers 28% of dust.
  • They mitigate the consequences of torrential rains; Trees retain water in the surroundings during heavy rains and thus prevent street flooding. Trees bind water in the soil with their roots. They work like a sponge, they bind water when it rains and then slowly release it again.
  • A more beautiful environment; In addition to beautifying cities and public spaces, trees improve the environment and create natural scenery that can cimprove our mood.
  • They increase biodiversity; Trees in the city mean more contact with nature for us, because they bring with them different forms of life - birds, mammals, insects...
Beeld: ©Marek Velcek

Contribution from the Netherlands

The topic of Greening the City is important for the Netherlands as well. Inspiration and Dutch solutions were also presented during the Floriade in 2022 with the overarching theme of Growing Green Cities. The Dutch Embassy in Bratislava and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality (LNV) therefore combined forces to contribute to the 10.000 trees intitiative in Bratislava. In 2020, 14 trees have been planted at Sutnapark, Bratislava. Now, on December 2, 2022, an additional 82 trees have been delivered to the city of Bratislava. They will be planted in different locations throughout the city. The trees come from Ebben Nursery in the Netherlands and the contribution consists of:

•    20x Ginkgo biloba, 16-18 Std wired rootballed
•    10x Celtis occidentalis 'Magnifica', 16-18 Std wired rootballed
•    10 Quercus phellos, 20-25 Std wired rootballed
•    20 Quercus imbricaria, 16-18 Std wired rootballed
•    10 Gleditsia triacanthos 'Street Keeper', 16-18 Std wired rootballed
•    10 Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon', 16-18 Std wired rootballed
•    2 Parrotia persica, 200-250 cm wired rootballed multistem

In addition, tulips will be planted as well. We are looking forward to spring and summer and see them thrive!

Beeld: ©Marek Velcek
Beeld: ©Marek Velcek