Benefits of tree moving with Opitz
The expansion of roads, utility lines, railways, and wind farms often requires intervention in existing green spaces. To ensure valuable mature trees are preserved, tree moving offers a sustainable alternative that harmonises infrastructure development with nature.
Using our OPTIMAL tree spades, we can efficiently relocate trees with a trunk circumference of up to 150 cm – whether temporarily for construction phases or permanently. For even larger specimens, we have spent years developing our superlarge tree moving process – a specialised method that sets new standards. This ensures that even imposing trees continue to fulfil their vital roles for the climate, the cityscape, and biodiversity.
Tree moving is a key tool in modern urban development. It enables progress in infrastructure expansion without neglecting environmental protection, and it helps to preserve and strengthen urban greenery. In doing so, it makes a significant contribution to a sustainable and liveable urban future – fully in line with the new EU Nature Restoration Law.
Two recent projects demonstrate how effective this method is in practice.
U5 Munich expansion – Tree moving in the city area
As part of the expansion of the U5 underground line in Munich, from Laimer Platz to Pasing, the state capital is consistently investing in the future of its urban infrastructure. The route network is growing in all directions, and public transport is being continuously expanded. The motto here is: the more attractive the service, the more people will use public transport. At the same time, special emphasis is placed on preserving valuable existing trees.
In January 2024, four trees – a cherry, a ginkgo, and two tulip trees – were carefully moved using our OPTIMAL 3000 tree spade. Their new location is at Birkensee, where they can continue to grow under optimal conditions. In collaboration with a landscaping company, a total of 20 linden trees were moved in February. 14 of these also found their new home at Birkensee. To ensure the best possible site conditions, planting pits measuring 4 x 4 x 2 metres were prepared and filled with high-quality tree substrate. The remaining six linden trees were moved to the Klara-Schuhmann-Straße playground, where they will provide welcome shade and a pleasant microclimate in the future. The contact person on the planning side was Mr Landre from the architectural firm Großberger Beyhl Partner mbB, who closely supervised the operation.
With our Opitz 360° service, we handle not only the tree moving but also the professional aftercare and maintenance of the trees. This ensures that the relocated trees take root and continue to shape Munich's urban greenery for years to come.
Replacement of the A9 Bindlacher Berg bridge – Tree moving for road construction
As part of the replacement of the A9 Bindlacher Berg bridge, Opitz carried out a tree moving project in May 2024 on behalf of the Autobahn GmbH North Bavaria branch. A total of 15 trees – four black locusts, ten linden trees, and one maple, which were planted as standard trees about 25 years ago – were professionally relocated using the OPTIMAL 3000 tree spade.
The measure is part of an initiative for high-performance and safe transport infrastructure. Traffic on Germany's motorways is constantly increasing, making bridges increasingly important as central connecting elements in the network. To ensure their long-term functionality, replacement structures like the one at Bindlacher Berg are indispensable – they provide greater safety, efficiency, and sustainability in road traffic.
To ensure the site remained accessible and to protect the soil during the work, steel ground protection plates were used. Through professional tree moving, all trees were preserved and moved to suitable locations alongside the motorway. In this way, the project combines modern road construction with active environmental protection. Infrastructure development and ecological responsibility go hand in hand.
Our successful projects
Orchard for Bamberg's city center
