20,000 trees cut down in Brussels since 2016

More than 20,000 trees have been felled in the Brussels-Capital Region over the last two years, according to figures released by the Groen party in the regional parliament. “While children are in the street protesting the poor air quality, we just let tens of thousands of trees get cut down,” said Groen MP Annemie Maes.

The agency Bruxelles Environnement, however, said that the figure was not at all alarming. Many more trees are sown or planted than are felled, spokesperson Frederik Vaes told Bruzz.

Vaes also said that a sustainable forest must be thinned. Beech trees, for instance, produce a lot of shadow, which isn’t good for oak as they need a lot of light. “And oak trees are much better at withstanding the effects of climate change than beech,” he said.

But according to Maes, there is no official policy on the felling of trees in the region, and the responsibility is fragmented. “I had to ask for the figures from three different ministers,” she told Bruzz.

She also pointed out that trees are being cut down by private individuals and companies, not just by official agencies. “A 100-year-old tree with a huge trunk has crucial environmental functions such as air purification and adding moisture to the atmosphere,” she said. “So when you speak of planting new trees, those are very small and will not be able to replace those functions for 40 or 50 years.”

Groen has requested that the region draw up a clear policy for tree management.

Photo: Getty Images