Leeuwarden boosts urban greenery with 760 new trees to combat climate challenges
Leeuwarden is planting 760 new trees this winter to tackle urban heat and flooding, improving air quality and living conditions. Residents helped choose locations, making neighborhoods cooler and healthier for years to come.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| New trees planted | 760 (part of 1,300 total, including replacements) |
| Total trees by 2036 | Nearly 7,000 under the Greening Implementation Programme |
| Current tree management | 61,000 trees and 325 hectares of forest |
| Total trees in municipality | 176,000 trees covering 1,270 hectares of leaf canopy |
| Annual environmental impact | Absorbs 8,000 tons of CO₂, filters 62,000 kg of air pollution, diverts 240,000 m³ of rainwater |
| Planting deadline | May 1, 2026 (weather-dependent) |
| Resident involvement | Locations suggested via village interest groups and neighborhood panels |
Leeuwarden Municipality oversees urban greenery and environmental initiatives, ensuring sustainable development and climate resilience. The Greening Implementation Programme reflects its commitment to enhancing public spaces and addressing climate-related challenges like heat stress and flooding.
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Leeuwarden Municipality to Plant 760 Additional Trees This Winter
The outdoor services department of Leeuwarden Municipality faces a substantial green challenge this winter. By May 2026, over 1,300 trees will be planted across the municipality. Some of these will replace sick, hazardous, or dead trees, but the majority—more than 760 trees—are entirely new.
This planting initiative is a significant step within the framework of the Greening Implementation Programme, through which the municipality will add nearly 7,000 new trees to neighborhoods and villages over the next decade. These additional trees are essential in addressing longer periods of extreme heat or heavy rainfall.
Deputy Mayor Evert Stellingwerf emphasizes the importance of this investment in greenery: “Nature in the neighborhood is not just beautiful. The trees we plant help solve problems in urban areas. Trees absorb excess rainwater, reducing the strain on the sewer system. They also provide shade in the summer. In areas with extensive paving, we deliberately choose tree species that offer optimal cooling. With sufficient green space, every tree can grow old and healthy, contributing maximally to a healthy living environment for people and animals.”
Trees in Villages and Neighborhoods
Some of the planting locations were suggested by residents through village interest groups and neighborhood panels. The municipality is focusing on locations spread throughout the entire municipality. On the website GroenleeftinLeeuwarden, a map shows the locations of the new trees and provides information about the municipality’s other tree management efforts.
Many of the new trees are already visible, or there are three tree stakes ready where a tree will be planted soon. The municipality aims to plant all trees before May 1, though this depends on weather conditions. Work may be temporarily halted in case of frost or excessively wet ground.
Tree Management in Numbers
The municipality currently manages 61,000 trees and 325 hectares of forest. In total, approximately 176,000 trees grow across the municipality, covering a combined 1,270 hectares of leaf canopy.
A Cooler and Healthier Living Environment
Each year, the trees absorb nearly 8,000 tons of CO₂, filter around 62,000 kilograms of air pollution, and divert over 240,000 cubic meters of rainwater. In doing so, they form a powerful, living network that makes the city and villages cleaner, cooler, and healthier.