Tree maintenance work on the Kopf-Lindenallee

In the week from 02. to 06.02.2026, tree maintenance work will take place on the Kopf-Lindenallee on the Heiligenberg. The path lined by the avenue will be closed during the work. Visitors are requested to use the alternative ascent during this time.

Pollarding is a historical form of tree maintenance in which all shoots are regularly cut back to a constant height. After pruning, the lime trees quickly sprout again. The young shoots were once used to obtain fibers, fodder leaves and timber for carving. The characteristically thickened "head" is created by the overlapping of the cut surfaces.

Important habitats for cave-dwelling animals

At the same time, numerous tree cavities with accumulations of mulm are created by rotting. Crotches are therefore important habitats for cave-dwelling bird species and bats as well as for deadwood and mulm-dwelling insect species, such as the rare hermit beetle. Regular pruning also prevents the old lime trees from breaking apart prematurely.

In order to preserve habitats for breeding birds, not all trees in the avenue will be pruned this year.