Prenzlauer Stadtwald: A green miracle for the climate and biodiversity!

Prenzlauer Stadtwald: A green miracle for the climate and biodiversity!

The Prenzlau city forest is a true jewel of nature, ecologically stable and economically strong. This recently became clear during a presentation by district forester Jens Rackelmann to the finance committee. This event not only highlighted the excellent care of the forest, which has been praised over the years under the supervision of an external expert, but also the impressive diversity that thrives on the 803 hectares of the city forest.

With a total of 28 tree species, the city forest in Prenzlau is truly extraordinary. Beech, oak, pine, larch and various hardwoods are mainly represented here. The wood supply has increased from 314 cubic meters per hectare to 344 since 2011, and the forecasts for the coming years are optimistic - by 2034 it could increase to 371 cubic meters. This is achieved primarily through a sustainable strategy, which means that less wood is removed than is grown in order to guarantee the stability of the forest. It's like cooking - you only use as much as you need so that the dish continues to turn out well.

From an economic point of view, things are also going well for the oak trunks in the city forest: Submissions can fetch up to 800 euros per cubic meter for strong and flawless specimens. This shows that forestry is good business not only ecologically but also financially. It was also found that hunting measures contribute to natural regrowth on around 750 hectares, which further strengthens the urban forest.

Sustainability and biodiversity

The silver fir, which survived the extreme weather conditions from 2018 to 2020, is being specifically replanted. Another plus point is the high proportion of hardwood of 99.9 percent in the city forest, which not only ensures excellent fire protection, but also shows how well the forest is cared for. There has only been one fire in the last 25 years - an impressive result!

At the presentation, Mayor Hendrik Sommer and Treasurer Marek Wöller-Beetz expressed their gratitude for Rackelmann's valuable work. They emphasized how important the urban forest is for the community, especially since it was not sold in 2001 and is therefore preserved as a valuable natural heritage.

Diverse tree species and nature experiences

But the urban forest is not only an economically sound investment, but also a place that invites exploration. Prenzlau offers a variety of tree species, which are presented in the tree path. This walking tour, which also includes architectural and historical landmarks, allows residents and visitors to experience the changes in nature throughout the year. Four times a year you can go on a green trail through the city on this discovery tour and discover old friends such as the impressive oak or the fragrant linden tree.

Here are some of the notable tree species found in the urban area:

• Rathaus Amberbaum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – Bekannt für sein farbenfrohes Laub.
• Uckerwiek Eiche (Quercus) – Ein Symbol für Langlebigkeit und Stabilität mit bis zu 1.000 Jahre alten Exemplaren.
• Uckerwiek Bergahorn (Acer pseudoplatanus) – Ehemaliger Baum des Jahres, der in der Medizin verwendet wurde.
• Uckerwiek Linde (Tilia) – Diese beeindruckende Art kann bis zu 1.000 Jahre alt werden.

The city of Prenzlau has managed to create a place that is equally ecologically valuable, economically sensible and accessible to people. A sincere thank you goes to the team around Jens Rackelmann, who uses the city forest to show how biodiversity and sustainability can go hand in hand.

For anyone who would like to find out more about the tree species and the tree path, the city offers a detailed flyer that not only explains the tree characteristics typical of the location, but also includes a map for the tour - simply find an excuse to enjoy nature!