Urban trees of the future: Which species can withstand climate change?

Cities are getting hotter—and increasingly, they depend on trees to provide vital cooling. But which tree species are resilient enough to withstand rising temperatures?

To help ensure that urban areas remain green and livable in the future, we are studying 124 urban trees in Freiburg and Karlsruhe, located in parks and along streets. These include well-known species such as small-leaved lime, London plane, Norway maple, and English oak—all of which are already common in urban settings and recognized for their drought resistance.

Using dendroecological analyses, we examine how well these trees cope with climate-related stress. This includes studying tree ring widths and wood anatomy, which reveal how trees respond to environmental conditions like heat and drought over time.

How stressed are our urban trees?

Beyond growth patterns, our research also focuses on the stress levels of the trees. With advanced molecular and physiological methods, we assess hormone levels, identify stress markers, and analyze how past drought events have left their mark. These insights help us understand which species are best suited for future urban landscapes.

With this knowledge, cities will be better equipped to plant climate-resilient trees—ensuring more shade, cleaner air, and a more comfortable urban climate for all.

This sub-project is being carried out by the Chair of Forest Growth and Dendroecology at the University of Freiburg and the the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research – Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU). The Joseph Gottlieb Kölreuter Institute of Plant Sciences (JKIP) at KIT is responsible for the molecular and physiological studies.