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Experts discover herbicides in ten trees – reward offered for information
Riedstadt, July 2025 – The approximately 200-year-old Karl Spengler Oak in the Goddelau district was apparently deliberately poisoned. Experts from the city of Riedstadt discovered boreholes in the trunk of the protected natural monument, through which, according to investigations by the plant protection service, herbicides were introduced. Nine other trees been affected. The city speaks of "planned vandalism" and has filed a complaint against persons unknown.
Historic natural monument severely damaged
The mighty Spengler oak, with a trunk diameter of approximately 130 centimeters and a height of around 23 meters, was declared a natural monument of the Groß-Gerau district in 1985. It is named after the former game warden Karl Spengler (in office 1924–1950) .
At the end of May, Gerry Assmann and Matthias Harnisch, employees of the environmental department, initially discovered damage to three oak trees, including the neighboring Isler oak. The trees had been healthy the previous year, but this spring, after normal bud break, they suddenly showed massive yellowing and drought damage. Initially, drought or pest infestation was suspected – but a laboratory analysis provided clarity.
Glyphosate detected – ten trees affected
Experts discovered a total of ten affected trees – including eight oaks, one horse chestnut, and one walnut. In one instance, a liquid was collected from a borehole and analyzed. A commissioned expert firm confirmed that it was glyphosate , a highly effective herbicide.
A report from the Hessian Plant Protection Service confirms that the damage is not due to natural causes. The found wood shavings differ significantly from insect feeding patterns – they show mechanically produced structures.
City offers reward – perpetrator still unknown
Mayor Marcus Kretschmann is appalled: "This deliberate destruction of such wonderful natural monuments leaves me speechless." The city is therefore offering a reward of 500 euros for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
The Darmstadt Criminal Investigation Department (Environmental Crime Unit) is investigating. Information can be submitted to the following address:
📧 ze20.umwelt.ppsh@polizei.hessen.de | ☎ +49 6251 961650
Alternatively, the Riedstadt Environmental Office accept information:
📧 umweltamt@riedstadt.de | ☎ +49 6158 181-320
Possible criminal consequences
The city refers to Section 303 of the Criminal Code: The intentional damage or destruction of trees is considered criminal damage and can be punished with a fine or imprisonment of up to two years.
Not an isolated case – similar cases in Frankfurt
Such attacks on city trees are unfortunately not isolated incidents. In Frankfurt am Main, several large trees at Merianplatz in the Nordend district were also poisoned with herbicides this spring. They had to be felled last week.
(Riedstadt - Red/PSR)
Featured image: This is how the Karl Spengler Oak looked until 2021. Archive photos: City of Riedstadt
