Chemnitz City Council: Forest plan secures the future of forests until 2034

Chemnitz City Council: Forest plan secures the future of forests until 2034

In Chemnitz, the city council is breaking new ground: on October 29, 2025, the forest management plan for the years 2025 to 2034 was officially approved. This not only brings the obligations of the urban forest into focus, but also the long-term sustainability and preservation of recreational areas for the population. The plan, which details the current state of the forests, envisages carrying out maintenance interventions and optimizing regeneration planning in the corporate forest. As chemnitz.de reports, the fifth largest municipal forestry company in Saxony with 1,541 hectares is confidently entering the future.

The forestry operation of the city of Chemnitz is divided into two areas: the Zeisigwald, which is largely located in Chemnitz, and the Saidenbach, which is mainly found in the neighboring Erzgebirgskreis. A study shows that the quality of the forest has improved positively since 2015. For example, the proportion of stands over 100 years old rose from 287 to 331 hectares. At the same time, there are encouraging trends in tree species: the proportion of conifers has fallen to 33%, while the proportion of deciduous trees has increased by 11%. What is particularly notable is the decline in spruce trees from 34% to around 25% - a good step towards biodiversity and adaptation to climate change.

Sustainability and recovery for the population

With this plan, the city of Chemnitz also has long-term economic goals in mind. The forests in the metropolitan area should not only serve as a recreational area for the population, but also ensure water quality in the catchment area of ​​the Saidenbach dam. An important concern is to use tree species appropriate to the location when reforesting and to avoid invasive, foreign species. This awareness of local flora not only strengthens the ecosystem but also benefits future generations.

The measures recorded in the forest management plan will be incorporated into the city's future budget and financial planning. As chemnitz.de emphasizes, the implementation takes place taking into account the existing budget and funding. The city shows itself to be able to act and future-oriented.

Overall, the adopted plan represents a solid foundation for the coming years. With a good knack for caring for and preserving its forests, Chemnitz shows that environmental protection and recreation can go hand in hand. And so the green heart of the city will continue to be a retreat for young and old.