Silver fir produces large numbers of seeds. That is the reason why it is able to renew the stands on its own without any planting. However, there are problems, if the number of browsing animals in the forest becomes too high. The animals cause too much damage to the sensitive young Silver fir trees. So in many cases private forest owners demand for a more effective way of hunting that reduces the number of deer during the critical phase of regeneration.
A very important ecological feature of Silver Fir is its shade-tolerance. Just because of this we are able to grow stable mixed forests with both broadleaved and coniferous trees. Silver Fir can regenerate under the protection of the seed tree without needing much light. The young trees are able to wait in the shadow for decades until the seed tree is harvested. Then, they adapt to the new situation and react with fast growth. Because of this, Silver Fir is an important stabiliser in mixed forest ecosystems.
Silver Fir usually has a very deep and stable root system. So, it is stabilized effectively and not easily affected by storms. At the same time, the root system protects the soil as one of our most precious goods. Erosion is prohibited and earth slides usually do not occur.
Silver Fir is a legendary species: These trees reach a total height of about 60 metres what makes them the biggest trees in Europe. It is possible to find 600-years-old Silver Firs that have a stem diametre of up to three metres.
Harvesting and crosscutting happens in the region where the tree was grown. This way it is possible to minimize transport activities. Only if we harvest and use the timber produced by Silver Fir, we will contribute to the sustainable protection of this fascinating species.
Dieses Projekt wurde im Rahmen der EU-Gemeinschaftsinitiative LEADER+ mit Mitteln der EU und der
Länder Baden-Würrtemberg, Bayern und Voralberg gefördert.
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