Firefighters, THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) and citizens help with watering – around 1,400 young trees are being cared for
The ongoing drought continues to severely impact Darmstadt's urban trees. According to the city's science and research department, the past eight weeks have left their mark. While the recent rain provides some relief, the water is not yet reaching the deeper soil layers and thus the roots of many trees. Because little rainfall is expected in the coming weeks, the city has significantly expanded its irrigation efforts.
In addition to the municipal enterprise for tasks and services (EAD), an external company and the city's lawn care crew, the professional fire brigade, volunteer fire brigades and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) are now also involved.
“The cooperation with the fire department and the THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) is an outstanding example of how we in Darmstadt jointly take responsibility for our urban green spaces,” says Michael Kolmer, Head of Green Spaces. Without this support, many trees, especially in difficult locations, would be “in dire need and, in the worst case, beyond saving.”.
Firefighters and THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) are helping at particularly dry locations
The professional fire brigade has been supporting the irrigation efforts since August 18th, including in the Albert-Schweitzer-Anlage and on Carl-Schenk-Ring. Their vehicles' water tanks allow them to reach areas where there are no fire hydrants. In the Albert-Schweitzer-Anlage, the soil conditions there exacerbate the situation because the water seeps away particularly quickly.
The THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) is also assisting with watering. Areas of operation include Kapellplatz and Edisonstraße, where, according to the city, conditions are particularly dry. Preserving the existing beech trees is especially important: their death would not only reduce the current tree population but, due to the difficult site conditions, would also make future replanting more difficult.
The support from the fire departments is not new. In previous years, the city's volunteer fire departments in particular helped to care for trees during extended periods of drought.
1,400 young trees regularly supplied with water
Since August 10th, the city's lawn care crew has also been deployed. Among other things, they are watering trees in the Wolfskehl Garden, along the promenade by the Rhine-Neckar railway line, and in the Bürgerpark.
The Parks Department's regular watering program continues in parallel. Around 1,400 young trees are regularly watered. Twelve watering sessions have already been carried out in 2026 – according to the city, a record high for recent years. In addition, 175 mature trees in particularly dry locations are also being watered.
Regular irrigation is expected to continue until the end of September. Darmstadt plans a total of 18 to 20 irrigation cycles this year, at a cost of approximately €300,000.
Should the drought persist and the fire brigade and THW continue to have sufficient capacity, particularly vulnerable locations will be watered one or two more times by mid- or late September.
City calls on citizens to water plants
Support is also coming from the local population. Citizens have contacted the city and are helping, for example, to care for the trees on Elsa-Brändström-Weg and Paul-Wagner-Straße.
The city is calling on more Darmstadt residents to water their plants themselves if needed. Young trees, in particular, can benefit from extra water. Only clean, uncontaminated drinking water or rainwater should be used. Pool water and contaminated utility water are not suitable for watering.
“Every liter and every deployment counts,” Kolmer emphasizes. “On behalf of the city of Darmstadt, I would like to sincerely thank all the helpers, whether from the fire department, the THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief), or from our wonderful citizens. Together we will overcome this challenge.”
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
