Dead tree installation in downtown Szeged highlights impact of climate change

NewsEnvironment

Jun 9

A striking installation of dead trees in the heart of Szeged is turning heads and sparking conversation. Set up in Klauzál Square, the unusual display is part of a broader European Union–funded campaign to raise awareness about the effects of climate change on urban greenery.

The trees are accompanied by informational panels — currently available only in Hungarian — that explain the causes behind the mass die-off: rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and inadequate water retention in city landscapes.

According to Deputy Mayor Sándor Nagy, the installation marks the public debut of a long-term environmental initiative launched in January. He said 2,165 trees were cut down in Szeged last year alone, deemed beyond saving due to extreme weather conditions.

“This is just the beginning,” Nagy said during a press briefing last Friday. “The real work starts now.”

The project was developed in partnership with local civil society organizations and environmental experts. It aims to promote more responsible green space management among residents, businesses, and public institutions. Among the tips provided: avoid mowing lawns too frequently, as short grass struggles to retain moisture during heatwaves.

The city is also investing in replanting efforts using more climate-resilient species. Last year, as an experiment, palm trees were planted in front of a downtown hotel — a move that initially drew skepticism but has since proven viable.

“We won’t be covering the whole city in palm trees,” said László Makrai, director of the city’s environmental management company. “But we need to explore new species that can survive these changing conditions.”

Makrai said the city is now focusing on drought-tolerant trees native to temperate zones, such as the flowering ash. Some of these are planned for areas like Gogol Street, where older trees were recently removed during infrastructure upgrades.

The Klauzál Square installation will remain on display through June 20. Organizers hope it will prompt more public engagement ahead of additional events, including the ReGreenX Festival on Saturday (June 14) at Széchenyi Square, where environmental experts will share practical advice and answer questions.