The ash dieback is taking its toll on Kapellenberg in Föching.
The building yard had to cut down numerous trees.
Föching
- The Kapellenberg in Föching with its forest around the small church is an idyll that attracts walkers.
For the people of Föching, it is also the last natural barrier between their rural village and the industrial area with its mighty buildings.
But now the “curtain” looks full of holes: In the past few weeks, numerous large trees have been felled on Kapellenberg by the municipal building yard.
"Yes, it looks brutal at first," admits Robert Wiechmann.
The Green Municipal Council is the responsible forester for the municipal forest on Kapellenberg and has ordered the felling.
He had no choice: ash dieback raged on Kapellenberg.
Precisely because the area is used by walkers and the cycle path and the railway line pass by, traffic safety must be guaranteed, emphasizes Wiechmann.
"As a forester, I am personally liable for this."
The fungal disease has been on the rise for years.
Wiechmann fears that sooner or later he will put an end to the ash as a species.
“That is dramatic, our range of trees in Europe is not that large.” In Föching - as in the Kogel south of Holzkirchen - the fungus had already done a great job.
According to Wiechmann, many of the trees were so broken that they could not be felled conventionally.
“That was life-threatening.” The problem: As the ash shoots die, the treetop also becomes rotten and the roots die off.
The rotten crowns are dangerous when felled.
"If a branch ten centimeters thick crashes down there, even a helmet will no longer help." And if the roots no longer hold, the whole tree threatens to tip over in an incalculable way.
Therefore, rope winch-assisted technology has to be used.
Fortunately, the building yard employees are highly trained and experienced in this.
“I am very happy that nothing has happened.” The community could not profit from it.
“This is purely a security measure.” And, given the effort, a premium deal.
The felling action took on such dramatic proportions because the slope was mostly tilled with ash trees.
Now there is a mix of other deciduous trees such as linden, oak and cherry.
Some branch material is left behind - for nature conservation reasons.
“That looks sloppy at first, but it helps so that young trees can grow up.” Because the branches serve as protection for the seedlings.
Afforestation with purchased seedlings is not planned on the slope, Wiechmann relies on natural regeneration with the seeds of the trees that have adapted to the site for decades.
Even if that takes a little longer, such a resilient young forest will keep up.
Afforestation is planned in the upper area, an ecological compensation measure.
He can understand that the impact looks rough.
"It's dramatic to the eye at first, but it's no harm to nature."