Kirsche verpflanzen, 2016

On April 23, 2016, on a full moon night at the “Festival of the Cherry Tree”, Achim Mohné and other Cologne artists and cultural workers planted a young sweet cherry in the green belt at Decksteiner Weiher. The tree comes from Mohné's private garden in Cologne-Sülz and was moved to its new location in a joint action.

The background to the action is the planned development of part of the green belt with sports stadiums for FC Cologne. It therefore affects an important green space that not only serves local recreation but also makes an important contribution to the urban climate.
According to environmental studies, the replacement of green spaces with sealed or artificial surfaces, such as artificial turf pitches, can lead to a local temperature increase of up to three degrees. At a time when Cologne has declared a climate emergency and thus recognizes climate protection as a top priority, the conversion of this valuable green space represents a contradiction to the climate protection measures being pursued.

The transplanting of the cherry tree is a statement against the progressive densification of urban space and for the protection of urban nature. The tree is a growing sign of protest.