Berlin’s €14.5M street renovation sparks outcry over 100 felled trees

A €14.5M street redesign divides Berlin as residents fight to save century-old trees. Can new bike lanes justify losing the city’s green lungs?

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2025 November 6 . 9:01 PM

1 min read

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Berlin’s €14.5M street renovation sparks outcry over 100 felled trees

Berlin's Reinickendorf district is grappling with a contentious issue as plans for the renovation of Ollenhauerstraße between Kögelstraße and Karl-Bonhoeffer-Nervenklinik station call for the removal of over 100 mature trees. The €14.5 million project, set to begin in 2027, has sparked debate among environmental groups, local politicians, and residents.

The proposed redesign includes reallocating traffic space and installing bike lanes and drainage systems. However, this requires the removal of 116 street trees, a number that environmental organization BUND Berlin disputes, putting it closer to 131. The trees, many of which are decades-old, provide shade, reduce heat, and support diverse wildlife, making their loss a significant concern for the local environment.

In response, officials propose planting 74 new trees in adjacent areas and along the central median. Yet, BUND argues that young saplings cannot replace the ecological value of mature trees. They, along with local politicians from various parties, demand a rethink of the project to preserve the urban tree canopy. BUND Berlin suggests swapping bike and parking lanes in the southern section and narrowing central medians in the northern area to save the trees.

The district office maintains that the tree removals are technically unavoidable due to the planned infrastructure changes. However, with the project still in the planning phase, all parties involved continue to push for revised plans that retain more trees, aiming to balance the need for renovation with the preservation of the city's green spaces.