Berlijnplein, Utrecht: trees with root ball anchoring on ‘the roof of the A2’

Berlijnplein in Utrecht is a cultural meeting place above a large tunnel of the A2 motorway. The square is known for art, events and a green layout. Around 2013, plane trees were planted on this roof garden construction. Because the trees have limited rooting space, root ball anchoring by GreenMax was applied to provide stability. Thanks to this anchoring, the plane trees were able to root firmly, are more resistant to extreme weather conditions and continue to offer visitors a pleasant, green and shaded square to this day.

Berlijnplein in Utrecht is an atmospheric square that buzzes with art, culture, innovation and events. Where Berlijnplein in the 19th century was Utrecht’s Central Station, characterised by its elegant cast-iron station canopy, it is now a diverse cultural meeting place with a heart for the city and its culture. Berlijnplein is also commonly referred to as ‘the roof of the A2’, because a motorway runs beneath the square. Berlijnplein forms the cultural heart of Leidsche Rijn Centrum and is connected in urban planning terms with the Plantsoen van Boedapest.

Around ten years ago, around 2013, plane trees were planted on Berlijnplein in Utrecht. As a result, visitors can still enjoy a green, relaxing environment in the middle of the vibrant city life. The trees are equipped with root ball anchoring from GreenMax to provide additional stability. This is because they are planted in a roof garden construction above the A2, which runs beneath the square. This means that the trees have less space to root, making root ball anchoring an ideal solution. Thanks to the root ball anchoring, the plane trees were able to anchor well during the first years of the growth phase. As a result, they are more resistant to extreme weather conditions and a beautiful green living environment is maintained.

Berlijnplein is a lively meeting place where all kinds of events are organised throughout the year. During the summer months, visitors and residents can find pleasant cooling shade beneath the plane trees. Thanks to the applied root ball anchoring, these trees remain firmly in place, even on windy days or during busy events. In this way, the plane trees not only contribute to a pleasant, green atmosphere, but also continue to grow safely and stably in the challenging roof garden construction above the A2.