Berlin might have its share of concrete, but no one can dispute it also has vast parks and other green spaces that contribute greatly to the quality of life. From the Tiergarten at the heart of the city to forested areas such as the Grunewald along its edges, Berlin is home to a variety of trees and plant life.

Woods cover 29,000 hectares (17%) of the city’s total area. Berlin’s forestry traditions go back to the Dauerwaldvertrag (Permanent Forest Agreement) of 1915. The pact between the forerunner of Berlin’s current municipal authority and the Kingdom of Prussia greatly expanded the city’s wooded areas, the aim being to improve the health of its burgeoning population. Pine, oak, beech, maple and horse-chestnut are the most common types of tree found. Berlin takes protection very seriously and even produces an annual Woods Status Report detailing the exact condition of its foliage. Berliners have taken up the fight against the leaf miner moth, which has threatened the city’s many horse-chestnut trees in recent years. One area in Brandenburg of particular interest is the Spreewald, only an hour’s drive south-east of the city. This swampy nature preserve is covered with waterways and moors, providing the perfect habitat for plants such as the royal fern and bog rosemary. The region is also famous throughout Germany for its asparagus and gherkins.