New Greenery for the Schüssinsel

In particular, many trees on the former artificial embankment had to give way to the planned flattening of the bank. This clearance is not only an opportunity for a re-design, but also for the rejuvenation of the tree stock, much of which was past its best.

It was, however, possible to preserve many of the younger, more valuable trees and replant them on the bank. The clearances create room for a near-natural planting of the park and for a shallow bank that is valuable both ecologically and from the point of view of recreation.

Native tree species such as willow, black poplar, alder, birch, maple, oak, elm and walnut mingle in the new park with classic parkland trees such as swamp cypress, pecan, honey locust, and Kentucky coffee-tree to form an impressive stock of trees.

The new green space thus provides a habitat for flora, fauna and urban man. For the department of open spaces in Biel, this will be one of the largest tree-plantings in its history.