Weather conditions during the planting season from November 2023 to April 2024 were particularly complicated. The mild and rainy autumn and winter initially delayed the recovery of plants in nurseries, then prevented access to the land.
The weather also made working the land more difficult. Nevertheless, 476 trees were planted. As a reminder, the objective was set at 483 specimens, to compensate for the 161 trees that had to be felled the previous season. In addition, 67 specimens replaced plants recently planted but which had not resumed after the last heatwave episodes.
Very busy teams
In order to respond to the sharp increase in needs for young plants, following the decision taken at the start of the legislature to plant three trees for each tree to be felledthe Bornaches municipal nursery in Perly is particularly in demand.
The SEVE team dedicated to tree planting is made up of 9 people (4 landscape horticulturists, 4 assistants and 1 machinist). Other SEVE professionals came as reinforcements to achieve the planting objectives despite the difficult conditions on the ground. The teams responsible for maintenance are also mobilized for monitoring for 3 to 5 years (watering, maintenance of basins, monitoring of stakes, etc.) of the more than 2,500 trees planted over the last 4 years.
A necessary diversity
This winter, 105 different tree species were planted, including a great diversity of oaks (12), pines (8) and maples (8). Half of the plantations are made up of native species (Crimean lime, Field maple, Pedunculate oak, Hop hornbeam, etc.), the other being made up of ornamental or botanical species (silk tree, Neem, Heptacodion of China, Soap tree, etc.) and fruit trees (5%), including Persimmons, Arbutus and a Fig tree.
Among the selection criteria, preference was given to drought-resistant species. Diversity is also necessary to protect against health hazards (diseases) and climate. SEVE made sure to select many native trees to promote biodiversity and habitats conducive to local wildlife.
The variety is also reflected in the dimensions and typologies of the plantations (isolated trees, rows of trees, trees in bouquets or groves, etc.). This season, 64% of plantings were carried out in parks, the rest being in streets, school playgrounds or even courtyards of buildings belonging to the City.
An ambitious objective and places to identify
The planting objective for the 2024-2025 season has been set at 645 trees, to compensate for the 215 trees that had to be cut down by the SEVE from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. Of these, 70% were dead or dangerous, 20% wasting away, the rest being due to disasters or bad weather.
Maples, elms and birches are particularly affected, particularly due to climate change. As places suitable for planting become increasingly rare and difficult to identify, emphasis is placed on search for private plots in order to continue to increase the canopy rate as planned in the City’s Climate Strategy.
Citizen participation is encouraged
In order to encourage the population to make planting suggestions (trees, shrubs, micro-forests, urban vegetable gardens, etc.), SEVE has just launched a new platform offering a dynamic map. “SEVE at your service» also allows us to answer citizens’ questions regarding the management and development of green spaces. A contact form and “frequently asked questions” have been integrated.
In order to find new spaces, these proposals are carefully examined, taking into account the numerous criteria and various constraints linked to this type of development. “In a city as dense as ours, the challenge in the future will be to find new planting sites. On the sidelines of major development projects, we must demonstrate agility to intervene in the gaps wherever possible and seize every planting opportunity, where we can act quickly, indicates Alfonso Gomez, Administrative Advisor in charge of the environment. With this new platform, we want to encourage the population to participate in this process.”
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