Clearing in the climatic health resort

“Old shade providers were radically thinned out!”

Shade providers look different: In Reichenau an der Rax, the "clear-cutting" on the riverbank caused a stir.

(Bild: DORISSEEBACHER)

Environmentally conscious residents criticize the felling of supposedly healthy avenue trees in Reichenau an der Rax. The "Krone" asked the town what the unsightly clear-cutting in the middle of the climatic health resort is all about.

In our municipal area, healthy avenue trees with beautiful high crowns, which provide plenty of oxygen and shade, are being cruelly mutilated", these dramatic words reached the Krone editorial team from an angry woman from Reichenau (name known to the editorial team).

A local inspection at the foot of the Rax proves it. In fact, numerous trees along the cycle path behind the church have been radically cut back. The local resident also criticizes the fact that no maintenance measures such as applying tree paste to the cut areas were carried out. "The trees were also neglected to be freed from parasites such as ivy and mistletoe," says the concerned eco-citizen.

(Bild: DORISSEEBACHER)

(Bild: DORISSEEBACHER)

But it's not just the pruned trees that are the number one topic of conversation in the beautiful climatic health resort. The clear-cutting along long stretches of the Schwarza is also causing a stir. "It's an ecological disaster," complains one local resident: "The water is lacking shade, it's warming up and eventually the fish will die!"

Stability was at risk
Mayor Johann Döller is already aware of these complaints. Regarding the criticized clear-cutting of avenue trees, he says: "Chestnut trees in particular have a lot of deadwood, which is why some crown pruning was carried out here." According to Döller, the stability of the trees would otherwise have been at risk. "And the risk of branches falling on passers-by or vehicles would have been too great," he says. There are also endangered trees in the park. However, pruning is the last resort here, so the decision was made to secure the crowns themselves. "That also costs up to 4,000 euros just to preserve these trees," explains Döller.

Fortunately, Reichenau has enough trees and new ones are being planted all the time. And we've finished the tree work for this year.

Johann Döller, Bürgermeister von Reichenau

All trees are also numbered and recorded in the Federal Forestry Office's tree register. The trunks are regularly examined by tree experts for symptoms of disease and individual care measures are suggested.

Shade for fish secured
And of course, the clear-cutting along the Schwarza also has its purpose: it serves to protect against flooding and prevent blockages. "Torrent surveyors take a look at the banks and say where there is danger," explains Döller. However, care is taken to ensure that individual trees remain standing in order to at least provide enough shade for the fish