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12/11/2018

Research project in Waldau: 500 oak trees for the forest of the future

@Green Office

What will the forest of the future look like? Which trees will best adapt to climate change? A research project is getting to the bottom of these questions on a test field along the Wahlebach green corridor in Waldau, which has been made available by the city of Kassel. City planning officer Christof Nolda, Prof. Oliver Gailing (University of Göttingen), Volker Lange (Environment and Garden Office) and Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey, President of the University of Kassel, presented the project to the public on December 6.

Image: Michael Schwab
Looking forward to further cooperation: (from left) Prof. Oliver Gailing (University of Göttingen), City Planning Officer Christof Nolda, Volker Lange (Environment and Garden Office) and Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey, President of the University of Kassel.

The Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Plant Breeding at the University of Göttingen is examining the growth, vitality and other factors of each individual specimen on 500 young pedunculate, downy and sessile oaks and comparing the data with an identical plantation in Göttingen. Great hopes are pinned on the downy oak in particular, as this tree, which originates from southern Europe, is very heat and drought resistant, but also significantly smaller than the native pedunculate oak.
"We are delighted to be able to make a contribution to this important research project," says City Councillor Christof Nolda. "The findings are also relevant for our urban space. We, too, are increasingly challenged by climate change when it comes to selecting suitable urban trees."

This project is a continuation of an old forestry tradition in Waldau. After all, it is no coincidence that the forest gave its name to this district of Kassel. In the past, the fertile soil around the village of Waldau was covered in extensive, lush forests. This is why the "Waldau Forestry College" was located here from 1798 to 1815, which was intended to train future forestry officials and prepare them for an academic career. It was founded by Friedrich Ludwig von Witzleben (1755-1830), who published a number of books and treatises on forestry. The historic buildings of the forestry school are still preserved and are located in the center of Waldau in the street "Am Försterhof".