Brno urban trees face worst conditions in 40 years

Urban greenery in Brno is facing its worst condition in 40 years due to a severe heatwave and lack of rainfall. Jozef Kasala, director of Veřejná zeleň města Brna (VZMB), reported that trees are suffering from extreme dehydration and excessive soil heating, even during evening hours.

To combat the drought, the greenery management has significantly increased watering efforts. Seven water tankers are deployed daily, delivering approximately 40 cubic meters of water to the streets. This intensive care has caused water consumption to surge by 200 percent compared to previous years' averages.

While the current impact is largely aesthetic, Kasala warned that the true consequences may not be fully realized until next year, depending on how the trees cope with the thermal shock. Older and larger plantings are particularly vulnerable, whereas forest seedlings are showing better resilience. The increased water usage is expected to create a higher financial burden, though VZMB has not yet requested an extraordinary budget increase from the city council.