Jena, 31.07.2026: The felling of a healthy Ginkgo tree in front of the former Goethe-Apotheke on Weigelstraße has drawn public attention. The municipal administration justifies the action by citing the planned conversion of the building into a bistro with outdoor seating.
- Location: Weigelstraße, Jena
- Date: 31.07.2026
- Measure: Felling of a female Ginkgo tree
- Reason: Prevention of odor nuisance caused by seeds
As Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche explained in a video message, female Ginkgo trees produce seeds that develop an intense odor of butyric acid when they fall. To ensure the quality of the stay for guests in the planned outdoor area, the city’s tree protection commission approved the intervention.
Replacement planting planned
As a compensatory measure, a replacement planting is planned at the same location. The city aims to plant a male Ginkgo tree, as these do not produce odor-causing seeds. However, the administration pointed out that the sex of a young tree can often only be determined with certainty after several years.
Background: The Ginkgo in urban planning
The Ginkgo biloba is a popular urban tree valued for its robustness. The issue with female specimens, which shed seed-like fruits containing butyric acid-rich pulp after flowering, often represents a conflict of objectives between ecological greening and hygienic aspects in outdoor gastronomy. Many municipalities therefore specifically choose male clones for new plantings to avoid odor nuisance.
The full statement by the Lord Mayor can be accessed in the media library at jenatv.de.
Source:
Ginkgo felling: City explains the reasons
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.