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Asking the Bezirksamt to prune a tree?
Right in front of the apartment where I have been living for the past two years there is a street tree. Every summer, the tree grows leave… Hi everyone, I have a question about tree pruning in Berlin.
Right in front of the apartment where I have been living for the past two years there is a street tree. Every summer, the tree grows leaves (duh), covering the sunlight and making my apartment a bit dark. However, this summer this has become a problem for us since the tree has grown so big that now my house is extremely dark the whole day (I need to live with the lights on during summer). This is something that could be fixed by pruning a bit the tree so... here goes my question. Is it possible to ask my Bezirksamt to prune a tree based on this grounds? If so, who should I contact and how should I state my case so that is solid enought for them to considering doing it?
If anyone has been on a similar situation before and/or has advice regarding this, it would be very welcome. Thank you!
You can submit a formal request through the Ordnungsamt's online form or send an email to your local Bezirksamt's Grünflächenamt. I'd mention that the lack of light is affecting your living conditions, but be aware they usually prioritize safety hazards like dead branches over light blockage. In my experience, they might trim it back a bit if you're persistent, but don't expect a major cutback since street trees are protected under Berlin's Baumschutzverordnung. You could also check if your Mieterschutzbund has any leverage they can apply on your behalf.
yeah i've been through this exact thing near frankfurter tor a few years ago. the grünflächenamt is the right place but honestly they almost never approve pruning just for light issues unless there's a safety risk or structural damage. what worked for me was framing it as the branches hitting the wall during wind storms, which is actually a valid concern for the building's facade. if you can get your hausverwaltung to back you up with a written statement about potential damage, the bezirksamt takes it way more seriously. otherwise they'll just tell you to get a glare-reducing film or blinds, which is what they told my neighbor
honestly, your best bet is to go through the Grünflächenamt in your Bezirk, not the Ordnungsamt. each Bezirk has its own form for "Baumkontrolle" or "Baumbeschwerde" online. i had a similar issue near Warschauer Str. and they sent someone out within two weeks, but only because the branches were touching my window. they won't do it for light alone, so maybe mention the branches are getting close to your building or blocking your balcony if that's true. also, if you're renting, your landlord can sometimes request it too, and they might have more luck since it's a property issue.
Things to Do in Berlin (2026)
Begin your Berlin journey at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity and history. It's free to visit and open 24/7, located at Pariser Platz. From there, yo… 🏛️ Start at the Brandenburg Gate
Begin your Berlin journey at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity and history. It's free to visit and open 24/7, located at Pariser Platz. From there, you can walk to the Reichstag Building, where you can book a free visit to the glass dome for panoramic city views.
🎨 Explore Museum Island
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site with five world-class museums. The Pergamon Museum (Bodestraße 1-3) houses the stunning Pergamon Altar, but note it will be partially closed for renovations until 2027. A day ticket for all museums costs €19, and it's best to book online in advance.
🚲 Ride Through the Tiergarten
Escape the city bustle with a bike ride through the Tiergarten, Berlin's largest central park. Rent a bike from a nearby shop like Call a Bike for around €1 per 30 minutes. The park is home to the Berlin Victory Column, which you can climb for €4 and a great view.
🍺 Visit a Traditional Beer Garden
For an authentic Berlin experience, head to Prater Garten (Kastanienallee 7-9), the city's oldest beer garden, open since 1837. A half-liter of beer costs around €4.50, and they serve classic German food like currywurst and pretzels. It's cash-only, so bring euros.
🕍 Remember at the Holocaust Memorial
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Cora-Berliner-Straße 1) is a powerful, free outdoor installation of 2,711 concrete slabs. Visit the underground Information Center for a deeper understanding, open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. Allow at least an hour for reflection.
🎭 Catch a Show at the East Side Gallery
The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 km open-air gallery on the Berlin Wall, featuring murals by artists from around the world. It's free to walk along any time. For a unique evening, book a guided street art tour that ends at a nearby bar like Yaam, a beach club with reggae music.
🍽️ Dine in Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg is the heart of Berlin's multicultural food scene. Try Markthalle Neun (Eisenbahnstraße 42-43) for street food Thursday nights, where dishes start at €5. For a sit-down meal, visit Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap (Mehringdamm 32) for a legendary €6 döner kebab.
🚇 Use Public Transit Like a Local
Berlin's U-Bahn and S-Bahn networks are efficient and easy to use. A single ticket costs €3.50 and covers all zones for 2 hours, but a day pass for €9.90 is better value. Download the BVG app for real-time schedules and ticket purchases. Always validate your ticket before boarding.
good list, i'd swap out the east side gallery daytime walk for going at sunset honestly. the light hits the murals different and it's way less crowded, plus you can grab a beer from the späti on the corner and just sit on the riverbank after. the wall art is cool but the real vibe is watching the boats and people along the water
for a food spot that's not on here, try katz orange in neukölln on weserstraße. they do these massive platters of israeli food for like €15 a person, the hummus is the best i've had in berlin and they don't take reservations so just show up around 6 to beat the line. it's a 5 minute walk from the u-bahn at hermannplatz
one thing the guide missed is that the reichstag dome booking can be a pain, you need to register on their website weeks ahead sometimes. if you can't get in, just walk over to the dachgarten at the kaufhaus des westens for a free view, it's not as high but you get a solid panorama of the city without the wait
solid list, one thing i'd add - skip the museum island day ticket if you're only hitting one or two, just buy individual entry. the pergamon altar being closed is a bummer but the neues museum with the bust of nefertiti is worth it alone, costs like €12
for a quieter beer garden than prater, try schleusenkrug near the zoo, right on the landwehr canal. same price range but way less touristy and you can watch the boats go through the lock
also the u-bahn validation thing is serious, plainclothes inspectors will fine you €60 on the spot if they catch you without a stamp. i've seen them do it
The guide's right about Prater being cash-only, and that applies to a lot of smaller places in Berlin. I'd add that you should hit up the Sunday flea market at Mauerpark if you're around on a weekend. It's off the U2 at Eberswalder Strasse, free to browse, and you'll find everything from old vinyl to DDR memorabilia. The park itself gets packed with people doing karaoke in the amphitheater, which is a whole scene worth seeing even if you don't buy anything.