Shady chestnuts for the playground
30.01.2026 – Trial with different planting pits to show the best development opportunities in difficult locations
When the six newly planted chestnut trees grow larger, they will not only provide shade for the playground, but also develop chestnuts for the neighborhood. "As soon as it has been established which type of chestnut develops best in which planting pit, this construction method will also be used in other locations where no trees have yet established themselves," said city treasurer and responsible department head Martin Wilhelm at the planting event. "Although this is more costly, it could also be used in future to better protect other particularly sensitive locations, such as playgrounds or quiet zones, from the blazing sun."
"The construction method based on the Stockholm model has already been implemented several times in Offenbach and is being planned for other projects," added Paul-Gerhard Weiß, Head of Planning and Construction. "Initial experience has already been gained with it in the market square conversion."
Three different planting pits are tested
Two of the six tree locations will be implemented in accordance with the standard FLL guidelines (Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau e. V.), once within the gravel area and once in the adjacent soil, and twice the trees will be planted in tree pits using the Stockholm construction method. In the Stockholm method, biochar is used as a CO2 and water reservoir, and there is an aeration and irrigation layer under the visible surface of the site.
The next step is to observe which tree variety develops best in which pit. The selected varieties of sweet chestnut are considered robust and can manage with relatively little water.
Trees are planted as part of the replanting guarantee
The planning and the procedure were developed by the city's Office for Planning and Construction and coordinated with Stadtwerke Offenbach's Stadtservice, which implemented the project.
The trees will be planted as part of the so-called replanting guarantee. This means that selected locations in the city area, where a tree had already failed to grow, are strengthened by means of elaborate planting pits so that they can grow here in the long term. This happens when a tree is particularly important at this location - for example as a source of shade, as a replacement for a dead specimen in a row of trees with heavily compacted soil or in a neighborhood with little urban greenery.