The Environment and Planning Council of Reykjavík City approved an action plan this morning for tree removal in Öskjuhlíð to improve aviation safety. The matter was referred to the City Executive Council for confirmation.
The actions follow recommendations from the Icelandic Transport Authority dated Jan. 17, which requested a timeline-based action plan addressing the tallest trees in Öskjuhlíð that potentially impact aviation safety at Reykjavík Airport.
Scope of project
Approximately 730 trees were removed during the first phase of the project, which concluded Feb. 22. The current second phase plans to remove an additional 700-900 trees within a designated area in Öskjuhlíð.
During this phase, all trees that extend into the VSS-plane or are within 50 cm of reaching it will be removed. A contractor will perform the work under Reykjavík City's supervision, with the company Tandrabretti using specialized equipment to fell the trees and transport the trunks out of the forest.
In the third phase, beginning in March, all branches will be cleared from the forest, chipped and properly processed. The estimated volume of material from the second and third phases will be approximately 6,000-7,000 cubic meters.
Safety measures and consultation
Work will be conducted according to safety standards, and the area will be fenced off during operations. The project will follow guidelines from the Cultural Heritage Agency, Nature Conservation Agency and Icelandic Institute of Natural History to protect archaeological and geological features in the area. Consultations have been conducted with key agencies including the Nature Conservation Agency, Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Planning Agency, Land and Forest, and the Cultural Heritage Agency, which have no objections to the project provided that natural and cultural heritage sites remain undisturbed.
Redesign of the area
Alongside the tree removal, the area will be redesigned to ensure Öskjuhlíð maintains its status as a popular outdoor recreation area. The area will need recovery time, during which officials will monitor natural vegetation regrowth and implement additional planting as needed. Plans will be developed for new clearings and recreational spaces, with special emphasis on leisure areas and educational elements about the area's natural and cultural heritage. A landscape architect has already begun designing the area, with initial proposals scheduled for presentation in the coming months.
The tree removal will transform Öskjuhlíð's appearance, replacing dense spruce trees with open clearings and creating a new landscape featuring lower vegetation. The forest will partially regenerate naturally, supplemented by strategic planting as needed. The goal is to ensure Öskjuhlíð remains one of the city's most popular recreational areas, with enhanced focus on outdoor activities, education and heritage preservation.