Cutting of trees to prepare XFEL construction sites until 15 March 2008

Although the exact construction start date of the European X-ray laser facility has not yet been fixed, the first step for preparation was already taken. The reason: trees have to be cut down before the growing season, i.e. before 15 March.

1. The European XFEL construction site Schenefeld – Holzkoppel street
Last Saturday, 16 February 2008, a firm contracted by DESY cut down 27 oaks at the west side of Holzkoppel street in Schenefeld (Schleswig-Holstein), chopped the logs and branches and removed everything, so that in less than 5 hours, the road was cleaned and trafficable again. As the road had to be closed for two hours, work started at 5 a.m., in spite of freezing temperatures. Holzkoppel street will be the access road to the XFEL site in Schenefeld and must therefore be broadened to 6.5 metres.

2. The European XFEL construction site DESY-Bahrenfeld
In week number 9 an extensive tree-cutting will take place on the DESY site which also affects the adjacent Lise Meitner Park. An area of altogether 20,000 square metres will be prepared for the “DESY Bahrenfeld” European XFEL construction site. Approx. 10,000 square metres of the total area belong to Lise Meitner Park which is situated at the west border of the DESY site. The exact construction start date has not yet been fixed, but nevertheless the tree-cutting will take place before the growing season, i.e. before 15 March. The tree-cutting will be carried out from the DESY site, so that access to the park will not be encumbered. Subsequently, the contracted firm will remove the cut logs, branches and twigs.

Source: Local press release (in German), 22 February 2008