In just under two days, 84 years of history came to an abrupt end recently to make room for the future of Baumholder. Fourteen linden trees on Ivy Street leading to the Lagerhoff Inn, planted in 1931 by the son of the original owner of the Lagerhoff, Otto Bier, were recently cut down to make room for a development of townhouses planned on the site.
Officials from Baumholder's Directorate of Public Works requested the assistance of Manfred Bäcker, local förster, in removing the trees. Bäcker and employees of the local forestry department than came and within two days the trees were gone. The first day they were cut down and the second day they were shredded.
Linden trees actually get very old if they stay healthy, but do not necessarily make good firewood, according Bäcker, that's why they were shredded instead of preparing them for firewood. Most of the trees were healthy but a few were already sick and potentially hazardous if not removed. "We don't like to remove healthy trees but we also understand that the planned townhouses will be a good thing for the future for Baumholder," said Bäcker.
James Chen, outgoing Baumholder Military Community site manager said "Although it's sad to see history being removed, I prefer to look at this as progress. We may be sacrificing a little of Baumholder's history but we are making room for the future and betterment of the community. The townhouses will be an excellent quality of life enhancement for Baumholder."
Bier's granddaughter, Gisela Thiel, visited Baumholder last year and coincidently photographed the trees that here father planted in 1931.
Linden trees are a tradition in Baumholder. A linden tree, estimated to be about 200 years old, currently stands in the center of the old quarter of Baumholder. In 1999, Gen. Dennis Reimer, then the 33rd Chief of Staff of the Army, visited Baumholder to plant a linden tree in front of the Division Artillery headquarters. Reimer was the former commander of the Division Artillery of the 8th Infantry Division from 1981 to1982 and planting the tree was a symbolic gesture of a friendship with the local community that continues to grow to this day. The tree still stands in front of Building 8660, the former Division Artillery headquarters. The building is now home to the Military Personnel Division.
Recently, 14 World War II era buildings that once housed single German officers also fell victim to the townhouse project. The buildings have been demolished and government contractors are removing the debris, much of which is being recycled. When complete, 84 new townhouses will serve as housing for Soldiers and families assigned to Baumholder.
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