Oberstdorf - During a forest inspection, the current situation in the forest of the market town of Oberstdorf was presented.
Many a local council was visibly amazed.
The responsible foresters Klaus Dinser and Robert Proksch of the AELF Kempten (Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests), as well as representatives of the market town of Oberstdorf met for a forest inspection.
The foresters presented the community council members and mayor Klaus King with the current situation in the community forest.
This covers around 750 hectares and is managed by AELF Kempten and managed by entrepreneurs.
Forest conversion in times of climate change
“In times of climate change, forest conversion is an important goal in forestry.
Especially in the large protection forest areas of the market town, which are largely dominated by the spruce, a stable mixed mountain forest is needed, ”Klaus Dinser explained to the interested participants.
How this is implemented in Oberstdorf is illustrated by district manager Robert Proksch in three steps at a selected location near Schöllang in the municipal forest.
After the forest has been developed through the creation of ridges, clearing takes place through proper thinning of the stand.
The third “act” is the introduction of mixed tree species at favorable locations.
Mixed mountain forest regeneration
The forest experts emphasized that adapted game stocks and appropriate hunting management are crucial for further development.
A look into a directly adjacent, fenced area of a private forest owner showed how natural mountain mixed forest regeneration can develop without the influence of game.
There, a colorful mix of young beech, fir, sycamore and spruce is already growing several meters high undisturbed.
Spruce trees had to go
The foresters took the participants to another area on the Breitach, where a few years ago almost pure spruce forest could be seen.
There, in the summer of 2017, the spruce had to be removed after repeated infestation by the bark beetle.
This led to controversial discussions and criticism.
In the meantime, 21 different tree species as well as many different shrub and woody species can be found in this area, which create a species-rich and natural mixed forest.
Quite a few members of the municipal council were visibly amazed at the potential that the Oberstdorf forest areas can develop if you “give a little help”.
