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Research project in Waldau: 500 oaks for the forest of the future
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The Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Plant Breeding at the University of Göttingen is investigating 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. High 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 pleased to be able to contribute to this important research project," says a delighted Christof Nolda, the city's building inspector. "The knowledge gained from it is equally relevant for our urban area. We, too, are increasingly challenged by climate change when it comes to selecting suitable urban trees."
This project ties in with an old Waldau forestry tradition. After all, it is not by chance that the forest gives its name to this district of Kassel. In the past, the fertile soils surrounding the village of Waldau were covered by extensive, lush forests. For this reason, the "Forstlehranstalt zu Waldau" (Forestry School in Waldau) was located here from 1798 to 1815 to train future forestry officials and prepare them for an academic career. It was founded by Friedrich Ludwig von Witzleben (1755-1830), who published several books and treatises on forestry. The historical buildings of the forestry school are still preserved and are located in the center of Waldau in the street "Am Försterhof".