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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Hasselt citizens petition to save 200 plane trees, but city prioritizes 'public interest'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A citizen group in Hasselt, Belgium, has launched a petition to save 200 plane trees along Runkstersteenweg from being cut down.
  • The city plans to remove the trees to renovate a bicycle path, citing safety concerns due to uplifted roots.
  • The group argues for the trees' ecological benefits, including air purification and cooling, and proposes alternative path construction methods.

A citizen movement in Hasselt, Belgium, is rallying to protect 200 mature plane trees slated for removal along Runkstersteenweg. The group, Samen Hasselt vzw, has initiated a petition against the city's plan to cut down the trees to replace the existing bicycle path.

Such a mature plane tree purifies the air enormously. When a new tree needs to be planted, it can take up to 30 years before we have the same effect.

— Serge DelvauxA leader of the citizen movement Samen Hasselt, explaining the ecological value of the plane trees.

The city justifies the removal by stating that the trees' roots are damaging the current path, creating unsafe conditions for cyclists. However, Samen Hasselt acknowledges the path's poor state but advocates for alternative solutions that would preserve the trees. "Such a mature plane tree purifies the air enormously," said Serge Delvaux, a leader of the movement. "When a new tree needs to be planted, it can take up to 30 years before we have the same effect."

Delvaux also highlighted the trees' significant contribution to summer comfort, providing up to 10 degrees Celsius of cooling and absorbing substantial amounts of rainwater. The group opposes replacing the current trees with different species, such as lindens, arguing that the ecological impact would be detrimental. They suggest modern techniques, like those used in Genk with interconnected concrete slabs, could prevent root damage to paths.

Over a number of years, we will have a beautiful avenue again, because the new trees will receive a much better substrate with more space to grow.

— Laurence LibertHasselt's alderman for public works, describing the city's plan for replanting after tree removal.

City official Laurence Libert countered that experts predict a rapid recovery with new trees planted in improved soil. She also expressed concern that exposing the roots for inspection carries a high risk of infection, potentially leading to the trees falling. The city plans to proceed with a public inquiry starting August 12, during which Samen Hasselt intends to formally object to the tree felling.

The risk of infection is high, which could cause the trees to fall later. We, as the city council, absolutely do not want to take that risk.

— Laurence LibertHasselt's alderman for public works, explaining the city's decision against root inspection.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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