The inventory of trees to be felled was carried out carefully. Just before the actual felling, there is a final check for any presence of nesting birds or other nests. If these are found, the felling of this tree/trees will be postponed.
Native species remain
To increase structural variation, the intensity of thinning will vary from place to place. Nowhere will so many trees be removed that gaps are created in the crown layer; the screen will remain intact. Although the work may seem antithetical to biodiversity, it actually contributes to a more diverse ecosystem. There will be more space and light in the forest, which is good for natural rejuvenation and the emergence of new species in the shrub and herb layer.
During thinning, mainly non-native tree species are cut down. Indeed, promoting native species helps increase biodiversity and prevents the threat of non-native species taking over. This site specifically involves the non-native species American oak (Quercus rubra), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and Norway spruce (Picea abies).
The so-called low thinning also focuses on native species. By breaking the local dominance of rhododendron, other shrubs and herbs also get a chance to develop in the forest.
Safety
Dead trees are valuable to many species of small forest dwellers but at the same time they pose a safety risk to the students, staff and visitors who walk in the forest every day. In high winds or storms, diseased or dead trees can blow over and cause dangerous situations. However, enough dead wood will remain in the forest for soil life. Removing diseased trees ensures that the rest of the forest remains healthy and more resistant to future pests and diseases.
With this forest maintenance, the development of biodiversity will have a better chance and the forest will remain an attractive and safe walking area for everyone.