Rare maple trees spared in Jyväskylä after last-minute plan change

A housing company in central Jyväskylä has abandoned plans to fell large maple trees to make way for new bicycle racks, opting instead for an alternative design that preserves the trees, Yle reports.

The decision follows a petition launched by local resident Minttu Koponen, which gathered over 200 signatures in just days. The petition argued that the trees provide vital shade in heatwaves and contribute to the unique character of the courtyard, which includes the nearly century-old Pekka Ervast Temple.

Olli Nyyssönen, chair of the housing company’s board, confirmed that a revised plan for the bicycle racks was approved this week, eliminating the need to remove the trees. “Both sides won,” Nyyssönen said. “We saved the cost of felling and removing the trees, while supporting greenery and reducing urban heat.”

Jyväskylä’s permit architect Pilvi Vähämäki noted that while the temple building is protected, its trees are not covered by zoning regulations. Finnish law allows the felling of up to nine trees without a permit, and there is no general ban on tree removal in urban areas.

The city does not take a position on the significance of the trees in the temple courtyard, as no permit applications are currently pending for their removal.