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App Lets Citizens 'Adopt' City Trees for Watering
2 Oct
Summary
- An app helps volunteers track and water trees in need.
- It visualizes tree water requirements and watering history.
- The project encourages community engagement and climate action.
The "Gieß den Kiez" project in Berlin offers a digital solution for citizen-led tree care, particularly crucial during intensifying summer heatwaves. This initiative utilizes an interactive map to track the water needs of over 900,000 trees, distinguishing between saplings and mature trees.
Volunteers can log watering activities, with the platform color-coding trees that are critically in need. Launched in 2020, the project has engaged 12,000 registered users, supplementing the efforts of city authorities to maintain urban green spaces. The app also provides guidance on proper watering techniques and rainwater collection.
Experts emphasize that street trees are vital infrastructure, providing cooling and biodiversity benefits. The open-source nature of "Gieß den Kiez" allows other cities worldwide, such as Potsdam and Paris, to adopt its model, adapting it with their local tree data. This citizen-driven approach fosters community and provides a direct climate impact.
The project saw a significant surge in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with watering peaking after its launch. On a record-hot day in June 2026, when temperatures reached 39.9C (103.8F), volunteers collectively watered trees with 8,000 liters of water. This highlights the immediate response to extreme weather events.
