Local services
With the support of the Government, the 50-year dream of the people of Debrecen has come true: with the first phase of the Civaqua program, which serves exclusively ecological and nature conservation purposes, the water of the Tisza has arrived in the Tócó stream. The Civaqua program creates blue corridors; a blue ring is formed around our city, with green corridors and green islands. We ensure the green ring, the joint development of the blue-green infrastructure.
Under the Civaqua programme, we created the Vezér Street reservoir. By extending the recreational functions of its surroundings, we have installed street furniture for recreation and will soon inaugurate a playground. The municipality will continue to improve the green infrastructure around the Tócó stream with the renewal of the willow tree line along the watercourse.
There are tens of thousands of trees in Debrecen. The condition of the trees is regularly monitored by the experts of the green spaces department of the Mayor’s Office during their regular visits, on the basis of which the necessary measures are taken under the professional guidance of the Chief Gardener.
The twisted willow stand on Károli Gáspár Street was previously planted next to the Tócó promenade because it is a fast-growing softwood suitable for a waterfront environment, which provides its surroundings with a significant amount of foliage in a relatively short time. However, the individuals of the willow row have now exceeded the age beyond which they can be safely kept in a residential environment. Due to the extreme, stormy weather experienced recently, several trees have fallen or split in two. Although we have regularly carried out shaping pruning, the trees have grown their crowns towards the stream, their trunks have become S-shaped or Y-branched, and their statics have weakened. The twisted willow is short-lived, and at this stage of its life, it is already susceptible to pests and diseases.
The health of the entire tree line has deteriorated to such an extent that its replacement and renewal have now become justified and inevitable, in connection with which the residents living in the area have also expressed their support. The replacement of the tree line is being carried out on a schedule so that there is a continuous, living, green tree line along the promenade. The green space department has completed a survey of the condition of the trees, as a result of which the reconstruction of the tree line will begin this year. According to the survey of the first phase, which includes the area between Exit I. and II. from Vezér Street, 10 of the 28 trees here, the most deteriorated twisted willows, will be cut down and stump-milled.
To replace the trees to be cut down, 15 lanceolate alders (Alnus Spaethii), which are suitable for waterfronts but still tolerate the urban environment well, will be planted.
The removal of old, dangerous willow trees will begin on Wednesday, the 11th of December, 2024, and on Friday, the 13th of December, we will plant alder saplings to renew the tree line. This way, we will ensure a safe, continuously green environment!
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
