
A tree nursery in Vienna’s 14th district is cultivating 18,000 new urban trees for the city.
After approximately ten years at the Mauerbach nursery, when a tree’s trunk circumference reaches 20 centimetres, it is relocated to its final destination. The cost of a single tree, including replanting, is around €3,000.
The nursery grows various species, including the field maple, the hackberry and the white ash. Every two years, the trees undergo a process known as “retraining,” which involves replanting and pruning their roots into a compact ball. This process enhances the trees’ resilience and prepares them for their eventual relocation.
Mauerbach is responsible for supplying all the trees for Vienna’s parks, gardens, and streets. Situated on the edge of a forest, its microclimate provides ideal conditions for nurturing young trees.
In response to climate change, the nursery is increasingly focusing on more resilient varieties that require less water. New additions to their range include the Chinese ornamental pear and the bladder tree. Southern European species in particular are proving well-suited to the rising temperatures, according to the nursery.