The forester's favorite place: with Michael Schmidt, the new head of the Anzing district, in the Ebersberg forest

Created: 01/29/2022, 08:00

By: Armin Rösl

Michael Schmidt with his dog "Harri" at his favorite spot in the Ebersberg Forest, near Salzburg © Johannes Dziemballa

Michael Schmidt (26) is the new manager of the Anzing district in the Ebersberg forest.

A ride and a walk with him - past 50 forest pictures to Salzburg.

Anzing – At the end of the drive from the tennis park in Anzing-Obelfing over snow-covered, dead-straight paths to the edge of the forest near the hamlet of Salzburg near Forstinning, Michael Schmidt asks: "So, did you notice it?" He deliberately chose this path through the Ebersberg Forest, instead of driving around on the normal roads. Because the new district manager wanted to show: "On this route we passed about 50 different forest scenes." Areas in which different tree species grow, areas in which the forest conversion is taking place - away from monoculture. Areas with old and young trees, deciduous and coniferous trees, living and dead wood. An area like this at the end of the drive, right next to the hamlet of Salzburg: oak, red oak, beech, spruce, yew - different types of trees are here, some for many years,others only recently.

Looking up in the forest near Salzburg.

© Johannes Dziemballa

Together with a school class (15 children) from Poing, he recently planted white elms here, says Schmidt.

A “tree of life” for every child, which they can visit regularly and watch as it grows.

Different generations of trees stand on this small area, which is one of Michael Schmidt's favorite places in his district: The 26-year-old is the new manager of the Anzing district, which at 2,000 hectares is about the size of 2,800 soccer fields.

The 90 square kilometer Ebersberger Forest, of which 77 square kilometers are commercial and state forest, is divided into four districts: Anzing, Kirchseeon, Forstinning and Ingelsberg.

Anzing: Revier is 2000 hectares in size

Michael Schmidt points to a tall tree that is marked with blue paint: "This is a biotope tree that is hollow on the inside." deadwood lying.

In a 100 percent managed forest, such as the state forest Ebersberger Forst, the large number and the characteristics of the different forest patterns are unusual and varied.

This modern forest conversion, as Schmidt calls it, fascinates him about his work as a forester here in the Anzing district.

Forester Michael Schmidt points to a picture of the forest.

© Johannes Dziemballa

He spends around six hours a day in the forest, he says, plus two to three hours of office work.

Boredom?

Lonliness?

No, replies the 26-year-old.

"I've got him with me," he says, pointing to "Harri", his two-year-old German Spaniel.

The saying "put into the cradle" applies to Michael Schmidt

The saying "you were born with it" applies to Michael Schmidt, he says: his father worked for the forestry administration, he himself has been in the forest and has been entrusted with the forest since he was a child.

Born in Munich and raised in Fürstenfeldbruck, the 26-year-old has been employed by the state forest for two years after completing his studies.

The last year before Anzing in the district of Kronach in Upper Franconia.

There, he says, he was mainly concerned with the bark beetle and its damage.

Biotope trees are marked in blue.

© Johannes Dziemballa

In the Ebersberger Forest, the variety is much greater.

Also: "I wanted to go home again," he says and smiles.

Back to Upper Bavaria.

He now lives in the Forsthaus at Parkstraße 1 in Anzing, where you can buy venison from deer and wild boar on Wednesdays from May to the end of January from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At the moment, however, not anymore, says Michael Schmidt: "I'm sold out." Sales only start again after the legal hunting season (which lasts until the end of January) has started in May.

If you want to go mushroom hunting yourself: No meeting with a forest ranger without the classic question about the best mushroom spots.

Michael Schmidt smiles and says the classic Förster answer: "Anywhere it's dark and damp."

You can read more news from the Ebersberg region here.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Ebersberg newsletter.