Ghent – In Ghent, the construction of the Bijloke ring road employs a sprinkler system to distribute pumped groundwater, ensuring the protection of valuable trees, with the city displaying each tree’s assessed value at the worksite, reports 24brussels.
According to AS VRT News, work on the Bijloke ring road has been ongoing for several months, with city officials implementing measures to safeguard valuable trees amidst a redesign of the intersection and sewer renovations, necessitating significant groundwater pumping.
Officials have warned that lowering the groundwater level poses risks to nearby trees, particularly during the ongoing drought. In response, the contractor has installed a sprinkler system that distributes the pumped water across the central reservation and into a nearby park, directing it straight to the roots.
How is Ghent protecting €100,000 trees at the Bijloke ring road?
Some trees at the site are valued at up to €100,000 each, highlighting their significant worth, as officials pointed out.
“When we lower the groundwater, the roots do not get enough water. With the drought continuing, this sprinkler system ensures the trees stay alive,”
explains Jef Schoenmaekers of the Roads and Traffic Agency.
“Such a sprinkler system isn’t very common,”
Schoenmaekers stated, adding that it is a permitted requirement for municipalities to adopt such practices due to the unique nature of Ghent’s trees.
To further protect the trees, each one requiring safeguarding has been cordoned off with barriers to mitigate damage during construction. Individual posters indicating each tree’s monetary value have also been placed strategically at the site.
The values are determined using the Tree Value Calculator developed by the Association for Public Green Spaces (VOOG).
“It’s a widely used tool that indicates how much it would cost to replant a tree of that type, with that lifespan, in that location, and in its current conditions,”
says Vito Lessens of VOOG.
“The tree value also serves as a basis for filing claims if trees are damaged during construction projects. In Ghent, this calculation is almost standard practice for major projects; elsewhere, it’s even less common.”
Ghent’s initiative aims to enhance awareness regarding the importance of preserving old and unique trees. Officials emphasize that a tree’s value extends beyond monetary assessments to include ecological, historical, and aesthetic significance. The city also encourages other municipalities to adopt similar protective measures.
For several years, Ghent has actively worked to protect trees during significant construction undertakings. In 2021, the city implemented protective barriers and monitoring efforts during the renovation of Vlaanderenstraat. Similarly, in 2022, effective measures were employed at the Sint-Pietersstation site, preserving valuable trees amid extensive roadwork. The current Bijloke ring road project, which commenced earlier in 2025, continues this protective trend.
