Diest (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On August 19, 2025, in Diest, a large tree at Warandepark fell onto the Annendael healthcare campus, damaging the exterior. Mayor Geert Cluckers cited drought; inspections of park and citadel trees are underway.
As VRT News reported, this morning on Aug 19, 2025, in Diest, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, a large tree broke into 2 pieces at the edge of Warandepark. The top part of the tree fell across the street on the Annendael healthcare campus, causing damage to the exterior wall. No injuries were reported.
What caused the tree to collapse at Warandepark in Diest
Authorities and campus staff quickly responded to secure the area and remove the debris. The fallen tree caused concern about safety and potential damage to nearby buildings. Experts will inspect other trees in the park to prevent similar accidents. Cleanup and repair work at the care campus is expected to continue throughout the day.
Experts in Diest say the recent tree collapse in Warandepark was likely caused by the ongoing drought. According to Mayor Geert Cluckers (DDS), the problem affects all the park’s deciduous trees, which need more water than other types of trees to stay strong and healthy. The mayor said, “Deciduous trees simply need water,” pointing out that dry conditions over a long period can severely affect their stability and increase the risk of accidents.
In response to the incident, city officials have ordered a thorough inspection of the other trees in Warandepark to identify any that may also be at risk. Diest is already working with a professional tree surgeon to closely monitor the city’s green spaces. The monitoring program includes checking for weakened branches, assessing soil moisture, and carrying out preventive maintenance where needed.
“We’re not only monitoring Warandepark, but also regularly examining the trees on the citadel,”
Says the mayor.
A similar incident happened on December 21, 2023, when a 20-meter-tall Christmas tree was toppled in Oudenaarde during strong winds from Storm Pia, resulting in the death of a 63-year-old woman and injuries to 2 others. The incident prompted the cancellation of the town’s Christmas market and led to an investigation into the tree’s stability and the adequacy of safety measures.
