Overview of measures implemented

Within two years, 49,500 oaks had already been planted! Common oaks (Quercus robur) were planted in damper locations and sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) in drier soils. To protect the young plants, they were either planted in fenced areas or with protection against browsing, as their buds are a favourite food of deer and red deer.

Oak forests have great cultural and historical significance in the Siegerland region. Oaks were the main species planted in the traditional Hauberg form of silviculture. Their bark was used to produce tanning agents, while the wood was used for both charcoal and firewood.

But it wasn't only humans who benefited from the oak forest. The middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius) prefers deciduous forests with a high proportion of coarse-barked oaks. These provide it with both food and sufficient deadwood for building its holes. The red kite (Milvus milvus) also often chooses old oaks as the base for its eyries.

The European beech (Fagus sylvaticus) has achieved an impressive 3rd place with 46,500 trees planted! The young shoots were carefully protected – either by browsing protection or by using a repellent for deer and red deer.

As the dominant tree species in the Hainsimsen beech forests and the most common native deciduous tree species, the red beech is an essential part of our landscape. Its remarkable adaptability is demonstrated by the fact that it thrives in a wide variety of soils and is found in almost all climate zones in Germany. It is precisely this flexibility that could be of great importance in the future, because the expected climate changes pose enormous challenges for our forests.

Our goal: a protected habitat. The habitat of the Hainsimsen-beech forest offers numerous bird species, endangered bat species, an impressive variety of beetles and forest-bound butterflies a protective habitat. The oldest trees, a proud 120 to 130 years old, are artfully transformed into caves by the industrious black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius). In the years that follow, these valuable dwellings often find new inhabitants who take over the woodpecker's home. The red kite (Milvus milvus) also finds an ideal place to build its nest in the beech trees. The grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus), on the other hand, particularly appreciates the beech forest because of its rich stock of old and dead wood.

Two demonstration areas have been established to promote sustainable reforestation and to ensure that forest restructuring is carried out in a manner that is compatible with nature conservation. These areas present various planting concepts and protective measures against browsing by game.

Different methods were used for the plantings:

• row plantings with tree species such as black alder, small-leaved lime and sycamore maple.
• Group or clump plantings with (beech, common oak & hornbeam and common oak & winter linden).

The demonstration areas not only serve as practical examples, but also offer forest owners the opportunity to discover innovative approaches to reforestation. Continuous exchange and sound advice are central components of the project.

1- Demonstration area for planting deciduous trees:

Various planting concepts have been implemented in this area: row planting, group or clump planting, advance regeneration under coniferous forest and natural forest development. An information board explains the characteristics of the starting areas, the specific implementations and the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches.

2- Demonstration area for browsing protection:

Nine different types of browsing and fraying protection are presented here, including innovative methods of protecting young trees to ensure their healthy growth. An additional information board provides a clear table with the following information: type of sleeve, material, price, effective height and properties (assembly and disassembly as well as biodegradability).

In 2023, we were able to purchase a 1.5 hectare area as part of our land purchase programme. These areas now belong to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and are under long-term protection. In the following year, 2024, the area originally planted with hybrid poplars was converted into a species-rich deciduous forest.

Our aim was to replace the non-native hybrid poplar with native tree species such as small-leaved lime, common oak, sycamore maple and black alder. Only those trees with woodpecker holes were retained, as they play an important role as a habitat for this bird species.

Some of the felled tree trunks were deliberately left in the forest. These dead woods are of great importance as they serve as a habitat for numerous species of beetles. These beetles, in turn, are on the menu of our target woodpecker species and thus contribute to the natural cycle of the forest.

During the work, we discovered a cattle skull that now serves as a symbolic totem – a guardian that symbolises the protection and future of this forest.