Sensation in Kaisermühlen: Old chestnut tree about to be felled for underground parking?

Sensation in Kaisermühlen: Old chestnut tree about to be felled for underground parking?

In Kaisermühlen, an old horse chestnut tree is causing a stir. The tree, which is around 60 years old and stands on the edge of an already asphalted parking lot, is to make way for a controversial housing project. Sozialbau AG is planning to build 36 subsidized apartments, but the felling of the protected tree is a prerequisite for the construction of an expanded underground car park, which will extend beyond the entire construction site. Neighbors are worried and fear the consequences of this decision. According to meinkreis.at, the neighbors' objections have already been raised in the proceedings.

According to the zoning and development plan, the property on which the chestnut stands is intended for gardening. Although Sozialbau AG's plans provide for a significant unsealing of the area, the question arises as to whether a replacement can be found for the old tree. A corresponding report and approval from the municipal district office are necessary in order to carry out the felling.

Tree protection and replacement planting

The legal framework is clear: According to the Vienna Tree Protection Act, protected trees may only be felled with a special permit. If felling is approved, replacement plants must be replanted in appropriate quantities. A medium to large crown replacement tree must be planted for every 15 centimeters of trunk circumference of the felled tree. This is a requirement that Sozialbau AG must comply with when planning to remove the chestnut tree. In addition, reporting the replacement planting is mandatory according to the law, as can be found on wien.gv.at.

There is currently no valid permit for felling the horse chestnut, and it therefore remains unclear whether the chestnut actually needs to be felled or not. The decision depends on the further course of the approval process. Sozialbau AG also plans to plant a total of twelve trees on the building site and the neighboring property to compensate for the loss of the old tree.

Outlook on the project

Construction on the residential project in Harrachgasse is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026. The residents are hoping for an agreement that could turn the fate of the venerable chestnut tree around. In an urban development project that also includes generous open space design between the new building and an existing house, the preservation of old trees is becoming increasingly important.

This means that residents remain curious about what decisions the responsible authorities will make. A good hand would be desirable, because a harmonious coexistence of tree protection and urban development is ultimately in the interest of everyone involved.