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Queen of the Woods
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The Silver Fir grows up to a height of 65 meters. The Queen of the Woods requires nature oriented forestry. Obsolescence and the resulting destabilisation of the forests can be prevented by sustained utilization of the tree.
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The Silver Fir is the Queen of Vorarlberg‘s forests. It can reach a height of up to 65 meters and a width of up to 2 meters with its root system spreading to an overall length of 270 meters. In contrast to other types of trees, diminishing growth of the Silver Fir has been observed. It is important to note here that the tree population isn‘t dwindling because of utilization, but because of a lack of regeneration of the tree population. Therefore, Protection through Utilization is the motto of the Silver Fir. In Latin it is called „alies alba“. In the forest industry, the Silver Fir is considered to be an indispensable element of the forest and an ecological stabiliser. Two distinguishing characteristics are the Silver Fir‘s ability to grow in the shade and its deep root system. In Vorarlberg, the Silver Fir makes up 25% of the trees. That is an absolute maximum. When we look at the whole of Austria, we see that it only makes up 4% of the tree population, and if we look at Europe it actually sinks to under 1%. This unique characteristic as a regional resource is a very good pre-condition for marketing and increasing demand. The wood of the Silver Fir, if looked at from a global point of view, is unique. We could ask the question: Can‘t the people in Vorarlberg see the forest for the trees? Don‘t they see the hidden treasure anymore? The Silver Fir needs nature oriented forestry. The saplings grow in the shade and protection of the mother tree. Clearings endanger the population. Selective forestry is necessary to preserve the cultural forest of the Silver Fir. Through sustainable forest management, obsolescence and the resulting destabilisation of the forests can be prevented. Rejuvenation and regeneration are warranted. Only then will the important functions of the Silver Fir as an indispensable ecological stabiliser be maintained. The characteristic tree in traditional and true to nature varied forests, is the Silver Fir. A varied forest is known by foresters as a forest in which trees of all different ages and levels grow in a very small space. Multifaceted structures are created by trees of all shapes, ages and sizes. Only small areas and individual trees are felled. |
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