The Amstelveens Nieuwsblad newspaper of 21 January published the following article (in Dutch) about the relocation of three trees on the location of our current and previous table tennis hall. The caption accompanying the photo reads: ‘The special transplanting machine in action. Photo: Municipality of Amstelveen.’
Sixty-year-old lime trees moved 50 metres on new construction site at Landtong in Groenelaan neighbourhood
On Thursday, three lime trees approximately nine metres tall were relocated using specialised equipment at the new construction site on Landtong in the Groenelaan neighbourhood. The trees, which are around sixty years old, were located on the site where homes are to be built. They have now been moved approximately 50 metres to the edge of the school playground of the new schools.
“We always look for opportunities to preserve trees in construction projects,” says Councillor Floor Gordon (portfolio Green). “In this project, we had an opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. These trees were easy to transplant and we had sufficient preparation time. The added value of such large trees at a new construction site is worth the investment.”
CAREFULLY PREPARED
The relocation has been carefully planned. Several years ago, a tree impact analysis showed that the trees could be relocated. To make this possible, root growth has been restricted using root screens over the past two years. This allowed the trees to be dug up and relocated with their roots intact.
INTENSIVE AFTERCARE
Using specialised machinery, the trees were dug up to a depth of three metres and firmly anchored in their new location. They will receive intensive aftercare in the coming period. In their new location on the edge of the school playground, they will soon provide shade for pupils and mature greenery for future residents of the new building.
NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
In the Landtong area, where a new school building has recently been completed, four apartment buildings with 160 homes will be built in the coming years. These will consist of 72 rental apartments and 88 ownership apartments. The project will be called “Landjuweel”.
