Experts discover herbicides in ten trees - reward for clues issued
Riedstadt, July 2025 -The approximately 200-year-old Karl-Spengler-Eiche in the Goddelau district was apparently specifically poisoned. Experts of the city of Riedstadt discovered boreholes in the tribe of the protected natural monument, through which, according to studies by the crop protection service, herbicides were brought in. Nine other trees are now affected. The city speaks of "planned rage of destruction" and has filed a complaint against unknown.
Historical natural monument badly damaged
The mighty plumbing oak with a trunk diameter of about 130 centimeters and around 23 meters high was declared the natural monument of the Groß-Gerau district in 1985. It is named after the former Feldschütz Karl Spengler (term 1924–1950) .
At the end of May, employees of the Environment, Gerry Assmann and Matthias Harnisch department first discovered damage to three oaks, including the neighboring Isler oak. The trees were still vital in the previous year, but this spring suddenly showed massive yellowing and dry damage after a normal output. First of all, drought or pest infestation was suspected - but a laboratory analysis brought clarity.
Glyphosate detected - ten trees affected
In several places in the city area, the experts discovered a total of ten affected trees - including eight oaks, a horse chestnut and a walnut. In one case, a liquid could be secured and analyzed from a borehole. A commissioned expert office confirmed that it is glyphosate , a highly effective herbicide.
A test report from the Hessen plant protection service proves that it is not natural damage. The drilling chips found differ significantly from food images from insects - they show machine -produced structures.
City exposes a reward - so far unknown perpetrator
Mayor Marcus Kretschmann is shaken: "This planned rage of destruction against such wonderful natural monuments makes me stunned." The city therefore a reward of 500 euros for clues that lead to the capture of the perpetrators.
The Darmstadt criminal directorate (environmental crime department) is determined. Information can be submitted at the following address:
📧 ze20.umwelt.ppsh@polizei.hessen.de | ☎ 06251 961650
Alternatively, the Riedstadt environmental office information:
📧 environmental tam@riedstadt.de | ☎ 06158 181-320
Criminal consequences possible
The city refers to paragraph 303 of the Criminal Code: The intentional damage or destruction of trees is considered property 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 an isolated case. also poisoned with herbicides Frankfurt am Main They had to be felled last week.
(Riedstadt - Red/PSR)
Contribution picture: As here in 2021, the Karl-Spengler-Eiche looked up until this year. Archive photos: City of Riedstadt
