New Old Trees for Donaustadt

The service tree is one of the rarest tree species in Austria and is classified as “highly endangered” on the Red List. Through a joint planting campaign, dedicated forest experts, Wien 3420 aspern Development AG, representatives of MA 49, and Donaustadt district chairman Ernst Nevrivy have taken the first step to help this once very popular tree species in Vienna take root again.

“Donaustadt is proud of its biodiversity and looks to the future. That’s why I very much welcome this initiative, thanks to which the tree that gave its name to Speierlinggasse can finally be found here again,” says district chairman Ernst Nevrivy on the occasion of the planting campaign.

From Speierlinggasse to Seestadt

In Speierlinggasse near Seestadt – right next to an ecological compensation area created as part of the aspern Seestadt urban development project – the first six young trees were planted. They were provided by the Federal Research Centre for Forests (BFW), Mr. Hans Kiessling, FORUM Pflanzenwerkstatt Grafenweiden, and Kutic Forstbetriebe GesmbH.

But this is just the beginning. In Seestadt, climate-resilient tree species will increasingly be planted beyond the residential and commercial quarters in the future. In coordination with MA 49, responsible for Vienna’s forests, service trees, wild service trees, and other rare species will be planted along the Asperner Terraces, strengthening the green corridor to the north.

“Seestadt, with its green edges, already boasts over 4,000 trees today. Further planting of the axis to the north with traditional and resilient native species is part of the strategy to make not only our district but also the connections within Donaustadt more beautiful and climate-fit for the future,” says Wien 3420 board member Gerhard Schuster.

The importance of these efforts is confirmed by Andrea Kodym: “The initiative makes an active contribution to preserving this ecologically valuable tree species – one of Austria’s rarest trees – in Vienna and thus increases biodiversity in areas close to the city,” says the plant biologist from the Department of Ecological Genetics at the Federal Research Centre for Forests.

Forester Hans Kiessling, initiator of the planting campaign in Speierlinggasse, sums up his enthusiasm for this special tree with valuable wood and delicate fruit as follows: “The service tree, which has always been native here, has the best chances of thriving under future climate conditions – and of being rediscovered and appreciated by the public. Even in ancient times, both the wood and the fruit were used in many ways.”

BUCHzumBAUM Service Tree Presented

Although the general public hardly knows the service tree today, experts and botanical enthusiasts celebrate it. On the occasion of the first international Service Tree Conference, which will take place from August 28 to 31 with a diverse program, a book about the tree will be published – a tree that, after a successful past, will hopefully have a great future.