Clearcutting of trees in the city has been deemed necessary for the expansion of the southern ring road in Groningen. Many trees have been cut down in recent weeks, and clearcutting operations will begin this week at the Maaslaan, the Zuiderbegraafplaats, the Julianavijfer and the Brailleweg.
The southern ring road’s current position sits on top of a dike, and many trees are planted on the slopes of the dike. The height of the ring road will be lowered during the expansion, meaning that most of the sloping sides of the dikes will disappear, along with the trees and any other natural growth. The goal is to preserve as many trees as possible, but there will not be many areas left where that is an option. Combinatie Herepoort, the company doing the construction on the ring road, has stated that they intend to plant two trees for each tree that is felled.
Clearcutting week 9
Between 26 and 28 February, clearcutting operations will be happening at the Maaslaan and the Zuiderbegraafplaats. On Wednesday, 28 March, operations will begin at the Julianavijver and will continue through 8 April, according to Combinatie Herepoort. Clearcutting will also begin at the Brailleweg on 28 March.
