To celebrate Amsterdam's 750th anniversary, the A10 motorway was temporarily transformed into a festival site in the summer of 2025, titled "Birthday Forest on the Ring ." For this project, Ebben Project Support, commissioned by De Gezonde Stad (The Healthy City) , coordinated the preparation of the 750 trees that, for one day, transformed the motorway into a green urban forest.
Preparation and tree boxes
To safely and temporarily house the trees, Ebben Nurseries planted them in specially adapted tree planters during the winter preceding the event. Wooden fruit crates were reused for this purpose, fitted with:
- a coconut mat to prevent substrate from washing away,
- an anchoring system for stability during transport and wind loads,
- a plastic inner layer with loops to allow for quick dismantling and substrate removal.
The substrate was specially developed for this project: lightweight, well-draining, and with capillary action for moisture retention. Organic root stimulants , including compost tea and mycorrhizal preparations, were used for optimal root development.
Cultivation and logistics
The growing season was only three months. This required intensive management with little room for error. Limitations in the load-bearing capacity of the containers and transport weight restrictions also determined the substrate choice and tree selection.
For transport to the A10 motorway, the tree tubs were tilted onto trailers using box tippers. This method allowed trees up to nine meters tall to be transported effortlessly across highways, under viaducts, and through the city. During transport and placement, the trees were continuously sprayed and misted to prevent dehydration and heating. All trees were fitted with GPS trackers, allowing them to be tracked live via the Open Tree Map Amsterdam.
Placement and repurposing
A total of 62 trailers loaded with trees drove to the Olympic Stadium, from where they were transported overnight to the A10 motorway and placed in their designated positions. Afterward, the trees were transported to Riekerpark (tree park) . They will remain there until winter dormancy sets in, after which they will be planted in permanent locations within Amsterdam. This way, each tree has a permanent home, and the project continues to contribute to the city's green ambitions.
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