Silvicultural experiences after wind-throw catastrophs - a retrospect view in Lower Saxony
2000
Otto, H.J.
Viewing the actual extreme wind-throw damage in France, Southern Germany and Switzerland, the article summarizes the long-term experience after a strong gale in Lower Saxony 28 years ago. Emphasis is put on the fact, that human behaviour in managing wind-throw damage has a strong impact on the remaining volume and future forest structure. In Lower Saxony there was an obvious tendency to overcome the damage as fast as possible. But in view of the future production and ecologicaltargets, it is a fundamental fault to react in a too impatient manner. All standing trees have to be preserved. They are producing volume. Remaining trees and the rest of stands may have a better stability. They are very important for stand climate and humus tending, and they provide protecting shelter for successive plantings. Stand renewal should accept and use natural regenerations in a sophisticated way. It can be combined with enrichment plantings at low costs. Open area may be used to increase the proportion of valuable light demanding species. Under shelter there will be less biotic and abiotic hazards (mice, beetles, late frost damage). When planting, this should be done in respecting absolute site-conformity. It is stressed, that a conscious and properly surveyed provenance choice will be of decisive importance for future vitality, yield and health of the new forest.
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