The last nursery stock survey showed that 1,540 agricultural businesses cultivated 17,160 hectares of tree nursery land in 2021. Compared to 2017, the number of tree nurseries had fallen by 10.4 per cent. The area used had decreased by 7.8 per cent.

At the same time, there have been changes in recent years that have led to an increase in the importance of  nursery stock products. Initiatives such as "The Green City" and the EU-wide "More Green for Europe" campaign have contributed to this. On the other hand, the increasingly evident climate changes are making more and more people realise how important woody plants are for temperature regulation in urban areas and - when planted on a large scale - for soil and climate protection. 

In the private sphere, gardens and balconies continue to be important as an extension of the living space or as a small, species-rich and natural world of experience as well as the pleasure of harvesting your own produce. This also has a positive effect on interest in ornamental and fruit trees, climbing plants, roses and other nursery product groups. "Social gardening", the social component of gardens, as well as the self-efficacy that can be easily experienced in the garden, contribute to the fact that gardens and plants are also - or even especially - valuable for physical and mental health in times of crisis. 

Trees and other plants therefore have an increasingly practical significance beyond the emotional and aesthetic aspect. This does not only apply to gardens. At the congress "City. Tree. Roof", a BdB conference on 11 and 12 September 2023 in Cologne, Dieter Fuchs put it this way: "In the past, preserving and planting trees was a purely emotional matter. Quite nice, but not necessary. That has totally changed. Today, it is absolutely clear that we need as many trees as possible in cities, in the best possible locations, so that they remain liveable. Be it for cooling, shading or as an air filter."

Many years ago, the  nursery stock sector was ahead of its time when it decided in favour of the BdB's motto "Green is life - tree nurseries create life". The fact that knowledge about the importance of trees and other plants is now increasingly becoming common knowledge gives hope for lively planting activities. However, it is unclear how much financial leeway local authorities and citizens in Germany will have in the coming years. 

Photo caption: Retail outlets often offer smalle trees and plants in attractive ornamental pots,

PhotoL Anke Bührmann Presse