Over fifty different tree species line Berlin’s streets. The five most common tree genera are linden, maple, oak, plane and chestnut. They account for round 75 percent of the total street trees:
Linden (Tilia)
The linden has long been regarded as Berlin’s most characteristic street tree. At round a third of the total stock, it dominates the street tree stock and here includes ten different species. The preferred species for new trees is the little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata), a moderate-sized tree that has sufficient space even on narrow streets. By contrast, the larger-crowned common linden (Tilia intermedia) is found largely on broader avenues.
Maple (Acer)
The maple genus accounts for round 20 percent of the total stock. The Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is best suited to street locations. Its early blossoms and bright autumn coloring make it especially popular.
Oak (Quercus)
Oaks make up round 9 percent of the total stock. The common oak (Quercus robur) is most frequently planted. Since it needs light, the oak is not suitable for narrow streets. The newest tree-lined avenues in the parliament and government district (in German) have been planted with the pin oak (Quercus palustris), locally referred to as the “Spree oak” after Berlin’s river. It is distinguished by its especially beautiful autumn coloring.
Plane (Platanus)
The plane (Platanus acerifolia) is an ideal tree for wide avenues. It can reach a height of 20 to 30 m and may also have a magnificent crown diameter of 15 to 20 m. The plane tree genus accounts for round 6 percent of the total stock. Berlin’s best-known and oldest avenue of plane trees is the more than 120-year-old Puschkinallee (in German) in Treptow.
Chestnut (Aesculus)
The horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), also round 5 percent of the total stock, takes fifth place among Berlin’s street tree genera.
