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Hamburg's Stadtpark Open Air: 100-year-old hedge creates unique concert atmosphere
🇩🇪 Germany /Culture & Society

Hamburg's Stadtpark Open Air: 100-year-old hedge creates unique concert atmosphere

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • A six-meter-high beech hedge in Hamburg's Stadtpark, over 100 years old and a survivor of two world wars, creates a unique, intimate atmosphere for open-air concerts.
  • Olaf Aderkaß, owner of the landscaping company responsible for the hedge's care, emphasizes its historical significance and the delicate, specialized maintenance required.
  • The hedge, a protected monument, demands meticulous attention from experienced staff to prevent damage that would not easily recover due to its age and deep roots.

The Stadtpark Open Air in Hamburg boasts one of Germany's most beautiful and green concert venues, largely thanks to a six-meter-high beech hedge. This living barrier encircles a grassy, rising amphitheater, creating an intimate atmosphere for around 4,000 music fans who can get close to major acts.

You can't let just anyone prune it, only the same employees always do it.

— Olaf AderkaßExplaining the specialized care required for the historic hedge.

The hedge, like the entire Stadtpark, is a protected monument requiring specialized care. Olaf Aderkaß, whose landscaping company has managed the park's upkeep for five years, stresses that only specific, experienced employees are allowed to prune it. Aderkaß, who began his career as an intern at the company 30 years ago and now owns it, considers the hedge a personal highlight.

"It's like coming home here," Aderkaß says, gazing at the treetops. "Old trees, it's very harmonious here, it's just fun." He notes that while some days are tough, the work is rewarding. The hedge itself is over 100 years old, having survived two world wars and various weather conditions.

It's like coming home here.

— Olaf AderkaßDescribing his personal connection to the Stadtpark and its ancient hedge.

Its considerable height makes it a landmark in Hamburg, akin to a concrete structure, but as "living material," it requires more sensitive handling. "If you do something wrong to the hedge, you see it. And because the hedge is very old, it doesn't recover quickly from it," Aderkaß explains. He likens any mistake to "a medium insurance claim, I don't even want to think about it." The city, as the owner, also closely monitors the work on the protected green spaces.

Old trees, it's very harmonious here, it's just fun.

— Olaf AderkaßReflecting on the pleasant environment created by the mature trees in the park.

Despite a dry summer, the hedge remains in good condition, fully green, which is the most important aspect. Its age means it's deeply rooted, allowing it to access water and nutrients even during dry spells. This year, pruning was delayed due to heat, as cutting in high temperatures can cause brown edges and leaves. Aderkaß's team typically prunes the hedge twice a year using specialized equipment.

It has survived two world wars.

— Olaf AderkaßHighlighting the historical resilience of the Stadtpark hedge.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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