Munich plans to plant 150 new trees in the city center starting in autumn 2026, even though the city has already had to take on €2.6 billion in new debt for its 2026 budget. The impetus is the desire for more shade on increasingly hot summer days, but narrow streets, underground utilities, and elaborate protective measures are driving up costs. According to the city’s building department, even 24 plantings at the lowest difficulty level cost between €1.8 and €2.3 million, or up to €95,000 per tree. If this level were applied to the entire program, the total would be around €14 million. The central conflict is therefore clear: a heavily indebted city is financing a prestige project while its budget is already teetering on the brink. (bild: 15.04.26)
Trees are becoming a luxury project in Munich
The city justifies the exorbitant costs with the conditions in the densely populated city center. Cables, sewers, and utility lines lie beneath the streets, some of which need to be relocated. Furthermore, the planting sites require extensive protection because delivery vehicles rumble across them every morning. It is precisely this technical effort that drives up the prices, while the benefits would only become apparent years later.
Head of Construction Jeanne-Marie Ehbauer speaks of “extraordinary circumstances.” She adds, “Every new tree needs enough space underground to develop strong roots.” While this is understandable in principle, it also explains why a climate project has become a multi-million euro undertaking. The planned trees thus no longer represent just more greenery, but also an exorbitant cost structure in the midst of a debt crisis.
Billions in new debt, but money for expensive symbolic politics
The city’s financial situation is already strained due to declining business tax revenues. For the current 2026 budget, Munich had to allocate €2.6 billion in new debt. Estimates even suggest that the debt could rise to €14 billion by 2029. This is precisely why the project appears politically sensitive, as every additional million-euro item intensifies the pressure on other priorities.
Nevertheless, the future city leadership is sticking to its course. Dominik Krause, who will take office as mayor on May 4, says: “More greenery through more trees in suitable locations is the most effective way to ensure sufficient shade and cooling on increasingly hot days.” The CSU, however, rejects the project and refused to approve it in the building committee. City Councilor Alexander Reissl warns: “We have to look very closely at this in times of tight budgets.” Even the city’s donation portal shows how meager the support is: So far, only 170,000 euros have been received, which is the equivalent of money for just two trees.