Ladies and Gentlemen,
in connection to questions concerning protection of trees in Wroclaw I would like to assure you that the greenery our city is famous of is subject to my particular attention.
Many more trees are planted than felled in Wroclaw. It means that we cannot discuss mass clearing, but rather a natural replacement of the tree stand necessary due to sanitary or safety reasons and also subject to the city development directions.
In 2013, two spectacular investments connected to felling trees took place. The Regional Water Management Board realised the Modernisation of the Wroclaw Floodway System and PKP managed the conversion of the Wroclaw-Poznan railway line. I am aware that during works several thousand trees were felled. However, securing the city against flooding is the most important issue for Wroclaw citizens.
The mentioned loss in tree stand will be subject to compensation. Decisions to fell trees, irrespective of whether they are issued by the regional or municipal monument conservator or the Environment Division in the Municipal Office, subject to only few exceptions foreseen by law, require replacement planting. Railway investments are such a legal exception. Despite this fact, PKP decided to plant nearly 1500 trees. In case of the investment realised by the Regional Water Management Board new trees will be planted among others at the Dunikowski Boulevard.
During previous three years in Wroclaw, in the framework of planting new trees or afforestation, nearly 220 000 trees were planted, including 16 000 in the municipal area, that is directly next to streets or in housing estates. Moreover, 200 000 bushes, creepers and perennials were planted. In addition, in the framework of the programme of “Greenery Dispersed” (Pl. Zieleń Rozproszona) the city offers young plants to housing estate councils, schools and other municipal institutions.
I know how important well-kept parks, squares or gardens are for citizens and I care for increasing the number of such places in Wroclaw.
Rafał Dutkiewicz
Mayor of the City of Wroclaw
