Danger from falling over

Criticism of tree felling on the banks of the Schwarza in Ternitz

Gerhard Windbichler, Chairman of the Water Management Association, with the trunk of the 20-ton tree. Although it was healthy, it was uprooted.(Bild: Doris Seebacher)

The importance of proper flood protection measures on the Schwarza was recently demonstrated in Ternitz. In the course of the heavy storms three weeks ago and the enormous masses of water, an 18-meter poplar fell into the river and got caught in front of the weir at Petersberg.

Rescuing it proved to be a complex task: Using a crane and cable winch, the 20-ton tree was recovered within six hours. "Fortunately, it was lying in the direction of the river and not across," says Gerhard Windbichler, Chairman of the Water Supply Association. Otherwise, the area around the Petersberg could have quickly been flooded much more severely.

Accusation: too many healthy trees felled
Criticism of tree clearances along the Schwarza has recently been voiced repeatedly by IG-Schwarza. This organization is committed to the sustainable preservation of the riverbanks. "This year, between 800 and 1000 trees were removed, some of which were completely healthy," complains chairman Hannes Kernbeis. In addition, the rootstocks of these trees were not dug up. "If they rot, there are holes in the dam and it collapses," he says.

Many local residents are also campaigning for the trees to be preserved.(Bild: Doris Seebacher)

Hannes Kernbeis points to an apparently healthy tree that was also a victim of flood protection.(Bild: Doris Seebacher)

However, Windbichler rejects the accusation that healthy trees are also being removed here. With the help of experts, it is decided which trees are considered dangerous. "It's often impossible for a layperson to tell," says Windbichler: "We try to work as carefully as possible."