With climate change at the forefront, trees and woody plants are gaining increased significance across the horticultural industry. IPM ESSEN 2026 – the world’s leading trade fair for horticulture – is sending a strong signal in response: the new Wood Arena will serve as an innovative meeting point for knowledge, practical solutions and future-focused topics relating to woody plants, urban greening and climate adaptation. From 27 to 30 January 2026, visitors will gain valuable insights for their business and have the opportunity to network with industry experts.
Located at the heart of the nursery sector in Hall 7, the new arena offers trade visitors a unique platform. A dynamic daily programme of lectures, panel discussions and presentations will address current developments in practical horticulture, research and plant breeding. Key topics include climate-resilient urban tree selections, suitable species for city environments and new cultivars for forests and private gardens. Focus areas of the Wood Arena include:
· Future-oriented tree assortments for cities and private gardens
· Climate-tolerant species and findings from trial projects
· Professional care and pruning of woody plants
· Site requirements for urban trees
· Hedge planting to promote biodiversity
Each day will feature a special topic and live moderation to ensure an engaging, interactive forum.
With the Wood Arena, Messe Essen is actively promoting collaboration among municipalities, planners, researchers, nurseries and the trade sector – all with the goal of making urban and private greening more future-ready. In addition, the IPM ESSEN programme includes a seminar hosted by the German Nursery Association (BdB) on Wednesday, 28 January, as well as guided tours on the latest topics in the world of woody plants.
Further information and registration at: www.ipm-essen.de
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