Vera’s garden in Amsterdam completely destroyed by storm Poly: “Like an earthquake”

Vera Gianotten and her neighbors are fond of the monumental chestnut tree which provides wonderful shade from a nearby garden. But her garden was completely destroyed by blown branches of the same tree. And although the tree was given monumental status by the council, officials told her to clean up the mess herself. “Because it’s not a public space.”

Before the interview really begins, she wants to clarify one thing, says Vera Gianotten: “I really have nothing against the tree.” On the contrary: it has been agreed with her neighbour, on whose land the tree is located, that Vera will take care of the tree. “And we share the costs.”

Protected status

The municipality also regularly sends a tree expert to observe and care for the white horse chestnut. The 1900 tree has a protected status: felling is not authorized and particular attention is paid to maintenance.

But that didn’t stop Storm Poly from doing massive damage to the tree. Heavy branches were torn from the tree and landed with a thunderous roar in the garden of Gianotten and his neighbors. Nothing remains of the pretty courtyard between the canal houses. “We crawled through the needle’s eye,” says Gianotten as she pushes her way through the devastation. “A branch like that might as well have flown through our window.”

Residents tending the four separate gardens of the Keizersgracht have no choice but to carry out a thorough cleaning. Because the tree has a monumental status, Gianotten counted on the help of the municipality. “But when I called the municipality, I was told: this is not a public space. You have to take care of it yourself.”

Work not started

Incomprehensible, said Gianotten. “Look,” and she points to the chaos in her garden. “It’s as if there had been an earthquake.”

Even with the help of caring friends, who have called and texted her en masse, it’s an impossible task, she says. “This garden is very important to me and my fellow citizens. It is very sad and moving for us that everything is now completely destroyed.”

Who clears the branches and trees?

After storm damage emergency services will work to clean up the damage. Trees and branches on the road or in the shoulder can be reported to the municipality, and damaged trees that threaten to fall on the road must be reported to the fire department.

But trees and branches that are not in the public space are not picked up by the municipality or the fire department. Fallen trees and fallen branches in the gardens must be cleared by the residents themselves.

“Trees on private property are the responsibility of the owner,” confirms a spokesperson for the municipality of Amsterdam. “So also monumental trees.”

“I’m going to have to hire a specialist company. Well, you don’t want to know what it costs.” Moreover, she is not the only one to have been damaged by the storm and does not threaten to be rescued for another two weeks.

Vera hopes she can get help cleaning up after all. “And that the municipality can also take a closer look at the context of such a monumental tree. It is indeed a beautiful tree, but one in the middle of the city gardens. And two of these gardens have now completely disappeared.”