Exotic trees in the Harz: Surprising adaptations and insights!

Exotic trees in the Harz: Surprising adaptations and insights!

In the heart of the Harz Nature Park, more precisely in Bad Grund, lies the impressive WeltWald, which has been a valuable place for research and recreation for 50 years now. Spanning over 65 hectares, this forest is home to more than 600 tree and shrub species from North America, Asia, Europe, Western Siberia and Near East. The main aim of the research is to investigate the adaptability of these species to local conditions and the results are quite informative: it has been shown that the noble fir is not able to cope with the climatic challenges in the Harz. In contrast, the Troy fir, the giant arborvitae and the tree hazel thrive excellently. These findings are documented by NDR.

The World Forest, which was created after the clear-cutting caused by the hurricane “Quimburga” in 1972, is not only a place for science, but also a popular excursion destination, especially on weekends and during holidays. An exciting Indian trail awaits families here, giving younger visitors the opportunity to experience the diverse tree species and their scents up close. In addition, a forest condition survey in 2024 revealed a keen interest in the scientific diversity of this special area of ​​forest.

Forests of the future

In the wake of global warming, the need for forests to adapt to new climatic conditions is more important than ever. Water balance plays a key role in adapting to droughts and heat waves. Forestry aims to maintain the interior forest climate by promoting high humidity and low light intensity. Dry spruce, which has proven to be less heat tolerant, is increasingly being replaced by species-rich mixed forests. The Umweltbundesamt provides information about approaches to creating these mixed forests that are more resistant to pests and diseases.

Forest conversion specifically promotes tree species such as black pine, sessile oak and winter lime, which are better adapted to dry soils. A cross-border project is intended to further evaluate the suitable tree species for the changing climate conditions and to improve the current approach, as Forstpraxis reports. Can the native species overcome these challenges? This will become apparent in the coming years.

A look into the future

The sale of the first trees from the 1980s is also on the agenda, which could generate additional funds for the maintenance and settlement of the forest. In view of the existing challenges, it is important to have a good hand when selecting tree species in order to further strengthen the resilience of the forest. Combining different tree species and age classes is seen as key to increasing adaptability.

In summary, it can be said that the World Forest is not just a research project, but is directly involved in caring for the forests of the future and their adaptation to climatic challenges. Whether as an excursion destination or as a place of scientific knowledge - this forest has a lot to offer and will continue to be in the spotlight.