Woodland management - Intense rain aids forest revitalization in Hesse, Germany.
Forest rangers in Hessen are gaining advantages from the heavy rainfall experienced during the last few months. The saturated ground offers perfect conditions for younger trees to thrive, according to a HessenForst representative. Older trees are also benefiting from the ground being saturated even in the lower layers. "It's not all trees that can partake in this advantage though," they added. "It's likely that many trees had severe root damage during the dry periods." This affects their capability to take in water and as a result, impacts the overall well-being of the tree.
Over 40,000 hectares in the Hessian state forest have been transformed into open spaces due to drought, storms, and bark beetle outbreaks since 2018 - comparable to the size of Frankfurt. The organization wants to enhance mixed forests and work on 'mixed forests of the future.' Their aim is to have at least three, if not four or five, different tree species on each plot in order to distribute risks better. Enhancing these forests requires high-quality tree seeds, which are now available at a new seed processing plant in Hanau-Wolfgang. The facility will be officially opened on Tuesday.
Since 2018, approximately 21 million young trees have been planted in the Hessian state forest. In 2023, around 4 million saplings were planted. However, this year, a mix of natural regeneration and planting will be used. "We'll plant in areas where naturally pure stands form, or in instances where the naturally occurring tree species do not fit with the future site conditions in the face of climate change," stated the representative. Planting plans are showing a slight decrease this year because of the need to tend to and maintain previously planted cultures.
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The heavy rainfall in Hesse has been beneficial for forest revitalization, specifically aiding younger trees in the forest. Despite this, older trees might have suffered root damage during the dry periods, affecting their ability to absorb water. The environmentally conscious forestry efforts in Hesse aim to create mixed forests with various tree species, improving resilience to climate change.
