Dresden trees in danger: Citizens urgently need to water them now!

Dresden trees in danger: Citizens urgently need to water them now!

In Dresden the signs point to drought! Despite recent thunderstorms, the city is suffering from extreme drought. The meteorological data speaks for itself: According to current measurements by the German Weather Service (DWD), only 63% of the usual precipitation fell in the spring, between March and May 2025. This situation is worrying because only 2020 and 2022 were drier than 2025, and last winter only brought us a meager 76% of the usual humid weather. As the Sächsische Zeitung reports, the north and northeast of Dresden in particular are suffering greatly from water shortages.

A full 95% of all measuring points in the low water area show alarming values, while 80% of Saxony's 280 measuring points are on average 43 cm below the typical monthly groundwater level. This is particularly dramatic considering that May 2025 was the fourth significantly dry month this year. Strong winds and intense sunlight also contribute to the ongoing dryness, which, according to environmental agency director René Herold, is worrying for many of the city's trees.

The call for citizen help

The city administration is calling on Dresden residents to water newly planted trees carefully. At least 60 to 100 liters of water per tree and watering session are recommended. In the last five years, numerous urban trees have already died due to the ongoing drought. In the Great Garden, around 300 of a total of 19,000 trees were felled in the spring of 2025, and in the Blasewitz Forest Park, a full 2,000 trees did not survive over a period of two years.

A look at the numbers makes the urgency clear once again: February 2023, the driest month, recorded only 12 liters of water per square meter; usually it would be over 30 liters. With current values ​​compared to rainfall between 1991 and 2020, it is clear that the drought is not a short-term phenomenon. According to the DWD, thunderstorms and showers are in the forecast for the coming days, but no longer period of rain is foreseeable.

A look beyond the borders

But Dresden is not alone in this challenge. Farmers across Germany are also struggling with uncertainty due to increasing drought. Artificial irrigation has become essential in many places as moisture in the upper soil layers continues to decrease and many plants urgently need water. This climate phenomenon is caused by general global warming, which has now increased by around two degrees. According to Deutschlandfunk the situation is serious; Continued drought and increasing risk of forest fires are forecast.

The BUND warnings about the ecological consequences of drought underline the weakening of our ecosystems and the need for measures to restore damaged habitats. This challenge does not just affect the local landscape, but is embedded in a broader climate pattern that affects Europe as a whole.

Given this critical situation, calling on citizens to take action is essential. Let's work together to ensure that our trees and nature survive! Information and further data on the drought monitor can be found at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, which provides extensive graphics and studies.