German Forestry Morgan Troendle Michael Haden

Objectives History of German Forestry History of German Forestry Current Trends Current Trends Technology Technology Future Outlook Future Outlook Comparisons to U.S. Comparisons to U.S.

History German forests were source of power for nobles German forests were source of power for nobles Concerns of shortages were developed so nobles had reason to develop communes Concerns of shortages were developed so nobles had reason to develop communes Having communally owned forests gave the nobles right to the money Having communally owned forests gave the nobles right to the money Shortage worries were the reasons for development of a management system Shortage worries were the reasons for development of a management system

History cont. Began around 1800 Began around 1800 Replaced poor production areas with fast growing species – Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine Replaced poor production areas with fast growing species – Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine Staggered clear cuts to keep the wood supply continuous and reliable Staggered clear cuts to keep the wood supply continuous and reliable Made Germany world renowned for its forestry habits Made Germany world renowned for its forestry habits

Problems with scientific forestry Instead of 1/3 coniferous and 2/3 deciduous it was switched Instead of 1/3 coniferous and 2/3 deciduous it was switched Acid soils Acid soils Weak stands Weak stands Poor lumber sent to market which lowered prices Poor lumber sent to market which lowered prices

Nazi tree management Taken control by Hermann Goring Taken control by Hermann Goring No cutting of conifer stands younger than 50 years No cutting of conifer stands younger than 50 years No clear-cutting more than a certain fraction of the stand No clear-cutting more than a certain fraction of the stand Must select lesser trees to cut to allow stronger specimens to reseed Must select lesser trees to cut to allow stronger specimens to reseed Forest owners were asked to introduce more broadleaf species Forest owners were asked to introduce more broadleaf species

Nazis cont. Did not satisfy needs for war effort Did not satisfy needs for war effort Goring fired and clear cutting rules relaxed Goring fired and clear cutting rules relaxed Sustainable practices did not return until 1990s Sustainable practices did not return until 1990s

Forest facts Cover 31% of Germany Cover 31% of Germany 57.5% Coniferous – 42.5% Deciduous 57.5% Coniferous – 42.5% Deciduous

Wood Use

Total roundwood production - (1000 m³)

Forest Ownership

Forest Ownership Cont. 198,000 own <10 ha 198,000 own <10 ha 48,000 own 10 – 50 ha 48,000 own 10 – 50 ha 7,400 own 50 – 200 ha 7,400 own 50 – 200 ha 3,300 own 200 – 1000 ha 3,300 own 200 – 1000 ha 1,400 own >1,000 ha 1,400 own >1,000 ha

Government Assistance 80% of costs for site preparation 80% of costs for site preparation 85% of costs for afforestation 85% of costs for afforestation Forestry and replantings Forestry and replantings Pure broadleaves Pure broadleaves Less than 20% conifer trees (50% for all coniferous species) Less than 20% conifer trees (50% for all coniferous species) 60% of costs for tending operations in young stands 60% of costs for tending operations in young stands

Government Cont. There are also rewards for afforestation of 20 years: There are also rewards for afforestation of 20 years: 175 to 300 euro/ha for self-used arable land 175 to 300 euro/ha for self-used arable land 300 euro/ha for self used pasture 300 euro/ha for self used pasture 175 euro for not self-used agriculture land 175 euro for not self-used agriculture land

Economics of Forestry German forestry lacks profitability German forestry lacks profitability Private companies Private companies Often solutions to problems aren’t solved correctly Often solutions to problems aren’t solved correctly

Technology German company first to use RFID German company first to use RFID Tiny nail inserted in each log Tiny nail inserted in each log Helps decrease inefficiencies between the cuting, harvesting, and processing of timber Helps decrease inefficiencies between the cuting, harvesting, and processing of timber Less paper trail and more of an electronic database Less paper trail and more of an electronic database

Black Forest Mass logged in early stages of timber industry Mass logged in early stages of timber industry Acid rain also killed many trees Acid rain also killed many trees Many bare areas still remain Many bare areas still remain A constant struggle to encourage re-growth of the forest to previous levels A constant struggle to encourage re-growth of the forest to previous levels

German U.S. Comparison German companies harvest 50 million cubic meters annually German companies harvest 50 million cubic meters annually The United States harvests 480 million cubic meters each year. The United States harvests 480 million cubic meters each year. The U.S. companies are able to operate at profitable levels The U.S. companies are able to operate at profitable levels The German industry is highly subsidized by their government The German industry is highly subsidized by their government

Total roundwood production - (1000 m³)

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