The municipality of Kerkrade carries out maintenance on trees along brick roads in stages

The municipality started this in 2018. Research has shown that many of the trees along the stone roads still have a limited life expectancy. Among other things, many of the beeches cannot cope well with the drier summers. The trees are affected by diseases, fungi and fungi.

The municipality combined tree maintenance with road maintenance. The section of Heerlenersteenweg has now been completely completed. In 2021, the first section of Kaalheidersteenweg was completed. In February 2022 the second part of the Kaalheidersteenweg will be started.

Felling and replanting trees

Right at the beginning of the work, the trees that are diseased will be cut down. These are 22 trees. For each tree cut down, a new tree will be planted. For the trees that remain, the subsoil will be improved. The trees will be given additional underground growth space, allowing them to last longer. The subsoil will also be improved for the new trees.

New trees

The planting of the new trees will take place at the end of the work, expected in the winter period 2022/2023. The new trees will be chosen from different species. Putting different species together will help prevent the spread of diseases between trees.

Size of the new trees

Initially, the new trees will be smaller than the trees being cut down. But with the improvement of the soil, the new trees will have the ability to quickly grow into mature trees.

Ultimately, maintenance will result in the stone roads remaining an avenue of greenery.