The forests of Baden-Württemberg are facing major challenges due to increasing drought, heat extremes and pest pressure. Against this backdrop, so-called practice test plantations are being set up throughout Germany and in Baden-Württemberg - scientifically monitored planting areas where promising tree species that have not been tried and tested in the state are observed and tested under real conditions.
"As the town of Gerlingen, we are delighted that the findings from our municipal forest are being incorporated into state-wide recommendations and that we can thus make a contribution to the climate adaptation of our forests," says Mayor Dirk Oestringer.
Downy oak and Turkey oak - beacons of hope from warmer regions of Europe
Both downy oak and Turkey oak are considered potentially suitable additions for dry and warmer locations in the course of climate change. Thanks to their deep root systems, both species have good resilience to drought stress.
Both species already occur regionally in Germany; the downy oak is even considered native to the area. Together with mixed tree species such as pine, field maple, service tree or sessile oak, both species can form resilient and ecologically valuable forest communities.
Gerlingen as part of a nationwide research network
The new trial plantations in the Gerlingen municipal forest are part of a nationwide network of scientifically monitored trial plantations.
Dr. Simon Boden, Head of the Forestry Department at the Ludwigsburg District Office, emphasizes the value of the project: "Climate change poses major challenges for our forests. Trial plantations such as these are crucial in order to find out in a scientifically sound manner which tree species can supplement and stabilize our forests in the future. The focus will and must continue to be on the natural regeneration of forests with native tree species. However, if the range of tree species is as wide as possible, we can spread the risk as widely as possible. The findings from the test plantations are essential for a forest of the future."
