A very large Anna Paulowna tree now grows in a narrow street in Ghent. The ornamental Chinese tree has nestled itself in the sewers. To remove it will be a difficult job. ‘The plant has a large and fleshy root system. Cutting the tree down makes no sense, it will grow again next year. Its leaves will grow up to almost a metre in length,’ says Kenneth Bauters of Ghent University Botanical Garden.
For months, passers-by in Boterdaelestraat in Ghent have been wondering ‘What kind of strange tree is this growing in this alley?’. The plant is not a native species or at all well-known in these parts but is growing like cabbage. A strange, grainy pattern can be seen on its trunk. The leaves are huge and are taking light away from local residents. The plant measures several metres and has nestled itself in the sewers.
The Dutch student, who lives in a house near the tree, explains it ended up there by accident. ‘A seed took root and kept growing,’ she says. A study lamp has to illuminate her little room, even though outside the sun is shining. The large leaves ensure that little light now gets through.
Kenneth Bauters from UGent's botanical garden immediately recognises the tree. ‘It is an Anna Paulowna tree. It is also called the princess tree. It is an ornamental Chinese tree. The seeds blow away and nestle between cracks and crevices. It is a typical pioneer tree, a plant that occupies an entire spot. In the US, it is an invasive species.’
Cutting it down makes no sense
‘The plant is getting bigger and bigger. It can become a gigantic tree, up to 25 metres tall. The plant has beautiful flowers and huge leaves. By the way, these get bigger when the tree is cut down. Then it returns the following year with even larger leaves, up to 80 centimetres in size. Removing the roots completely seems to be the only way to prevent it from growing again.’
The Anna Paulowna tree is becoming more common in our regions. In Europe it is not yet on the list of invasive species. The plant can survive for about 40 years. Whether the plant will live that long in Ghent remains to be seen. The city is not responsible for the sewers and refers VRT News to the company that is, Farys. There the manager had no knowledge of the tree but promises to investigate the matter immediately. To be continued!