Green Laboratory Coburg

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Grünes Labor Coburg, in the front striped maple ( Acer pensylvanicum ) and two Austrian black pines ( Pinus nigra austriatica ), in the background the Veste Coburg .

The Green Laboratory Coburg is an experimental garden for research purposes in the Upper Franconian city ​​of Coburg . The garden was created in 2000 and has an area of ​​around 2500 square meters; It is located on a hill in the western part of the city on Himmelsacker below the Bismarck tower . It is the first German test garden for trees in urban areas.

history

planning

The unprecedented project from the German-Austrian section ( "Chapter Germany-Austria") was initiated International Building Care Society (Engl. International Society of Arboriculture , abbreviated ISA). At the beginning, this experimental garden was also known as the "Living Laboratory"; the sign at the entrance attested to it until 2015.

On November 9, 2015, a new sign was put up in the “Green Laboratory Coburg”, which also takes into account the sponsors of the facility. In March 2020, a public event was held in the Coburg Green Space Office to mark the 20th anniversary. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Balder presented his previous evaluations. In addition, a black poplar was planted as an anniversary tree in the green laboratory.

The project was advertised throughout Germany. Of the eight cities that applied, the city of Coburg was awarded the contract. The main reasons were the city's promise that the area would not be sold or built on in the long term, as well as the commitment of the “Baumschutz Coburg e. V. ”with its founder and chairman Horst Schunk, who was also a city councilor for tree protection. At its board meeting on April 22, 1999, the German-Austrian section of the ISA decided to implement the Green Laboratory in Coburg on the initiative of President Hartmut Schmidt († 2014).

Plant the garden

Information sign
Triple planting of giant thujas ( Thuja plicata 'Excelsa')

Landscape architect Ing. Karl-Heinz Walzer from Vienna (ISA Austria) was entrusted with the implementation of the concept for the “Green Laboratory Coburg”. He was supported by Hans-Hermann Stöteler, also from the ISA. Stöteler also appeared several times as a sponsor for the “Green Laboratory”.

The city of Coburg, headed by Gerhard Seiffert from the Coburg Green Spaces Office and headed by the city forester Wolfgang Eidloth, took over (and continues to take over) the basic maintenance of the project. Horst Schunk gave suggestions as an additional supervisor and acted as a mediator between the initiators. The production value for the Green Laboratory Coburg was calculated as 75,000 DM.

The following requirements were implemented on the approximately 2,500 square meter, previously fallow area:

Planting of trees of the temperate climate zone worldwide, which can be brought into the urban area of ​​the present climate zone, namely

  • in different substrates
  • in different planting systems
  • different genera / species (city trees)
  • Exotic garden continent garden
  • Orchard

In addition, for the border area (as an alternative to coniferous hedges), model plantings were planned:

  • Hedge plantings for fruit enjoyment
  • Useful plants for fruit consumption.

After the planning was completed, the work was initially put out to tender in the Coburg area. Since no landscaping company could be found for the contract in this first tender, a second tender followed, in which the company of Hans Hermann Stöteler from Ahaus in the Münsterland was awarded the contract.

When planted in March 2000, specimens of over 80 tree species were planted that can thrive at the Coburg site. These include typical city trees, but also trees from forests and fields, as well as fruit trees. Both native and exotic species have been planted. These include conifers of the genera spruce , pine , thujas and hemlock as well as the giant sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ); of hardwood species are birch , dogwood , Linden , ash , service tree, flour berries and cherries represented. In the "fruit laboratory" 17 apple varieties (see also the list of apple varieties ) were set:

Currants , medlars and quinces were also planted on the northern edge of the site . Afterwards, tree-friendly citizens donated and planted more trees in some vacant spots in the Green Laboratory, including wingnut, walnut tree, tree of gods, Italian alder and pavement tree. Wolfgang Eidloth from the Coburg Green Spaces Office looked after this facility for the City of Coburg in the first few years. Hans-Hermann Stöteler, ISA Germany and Josef Klaffenböck from ISA Austria were and are always accompanying people.

Current

Specimen of the Weymouth pine ( Pinus strobus ) damaged by game bites

The aim of the long-term project is to clarify the following questions: How do different woody plants develop in times that are characterized by accelerated climate change? How do trees behave with one another? Which trees are suitable for cities and communities in the future?

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Balder from the Beuth Hochschule Berlin looks after the “Green Laboratory” with his students at regular intervals and evaluates the first results. The “Green Laboratory” was set up as a long-term project that is intended to provide future generations with basic results. The “tree protection idea” is seen as an additional effect.

The experimental garden is open to the public, it can be visited and committed at any time.

swell

literature

The history of the “Green Laboratory” is recorded in the “Digital City Memory” of the city of Coburg.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ For organizational reasons, the German-Austrian section within the ISA has now split up into a German and an Austrian section, which, however, continue to cooperate closely with one another.
  2. ↑ Information on the website of the City of Coburg  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. .@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.stadt.coburg.de  

Coordinates: 50 ° 15 ′ 27.2 ″  N , 10 ° 56 ′ 38.6 ″  E