Tree war in Munich: Fight for old trees on Lindenschmitstrasse!

Tree war in Munich: Fight for old trees on Lindenschmitstrasse!

Things are actually simmering at Lindenschmitstrasse 25 in Munich: A dispute over five old trees that are to be made way for a construction project by Palermo Estate 01 GmbH is preoccupying the minds of residents and nature conservationists. These trees are not only a green attraction, they also make an important contribution to the city's climate and the quality of life of the residents, as the neighborhood initiative vehemently emphasizes. On Monday, the Bavarian Administrative Court issued a significant postponement decision that temporarily suspends the previously valid building permit in order to stop the felling of trees. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that…

Lawyer Benno Ziegler took on the lawsuit on behalf of the Wildes Bayern nature conservation association, which wants to challenge the rule “building law breaks tree law” in court. This rule allows trees to be felled if there are overriding reasons for the public good, which leads to a huge conflict because according to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the trees could be felled from October 1st. According to Ziegler, however, irreversible conditions must be prevented from occurring as a result of tree felling, especially since the current decision of the Administrative Court states that the lawsuit is not hopeless and that the trees are of great importance for the neighborhood.

Political support and neighborhood initiative

The problems surrounding the construction project are not just a factor in the legal disputes. High-ranking politicians in particular, including SPD representatives, have already taken a stand on site and emphasized the importance of the green oases in the city. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) points out that the building permit is legally binding and the local building commission has no discretion, which makes things even more complicated.

The residents are worried because the felling of the trees could have not only aesthetic but also ecological consequences for the surrounding area. According to a report on Landschaftsbau.net, the felling of trees on your own property often requires approval in order not to impair the landscape. Special permits are required for deciduous and coniferous trees with a trunk circumference of more than 60 to 80 cm, and not without reason: trees are an essential component of urban nature and contribute to improving the urban climate. As stated here…

Future outlook: tree felling and environmental protection

To make it very clear: The city of Munich has confirmed that the trees cannot be felled for the time being, giving residents some breathing room. The hope is that the background and importance of the trees will not be forgotten. There are also clear regulations, for example that every time a tree is felled, a new tree must be planted to compensate for the environmental damage. The report on tree protection in Frankfurt makes it clear that…

It remains to be seen whether this legal dispute and the neighborhood's resistance to the building permit will ultimately bear fruit. One thing is certain, however: in a city like Munich, where nature and urban life are closely intertwined, every single tree is important and worth discussing.