Various excursions will be on offer to conference delegates. An interesting programme of events with forestry and wood themes, as well as cultural and culinary highlights, is waiting for you.
May 23rd provides an opportunity for a 'get-together' for the leading representatives of the international forest and timber industries and conference delegates.
Ambassadors and politicians are planting trees in Bonn on May 27th
The German Forestry Council is the agency which represents all sectors of the German forestry and timber industries.
The German Timber Industry Council is the leading organization within the German timber industry. Its task is to represent the common interests of the timber industry on fundamental issues.
Sustainable availability: the largest wood stocks in Europe
Close to a third of Germany's land area - i.e. 11.1 million hectares - is covered with forests. Total wood supply in forests amount to approx. 3.4 billion cubic meters, i.e. it averages more than 300 cubic meters of wood per hectare. Thus, Germany holds the leading position compared to the rest of Europe. In Germany, the wood stocks is larger than that of the "traditional" wood countries, Finland and Sweden.
Source: BWI 2, 2004On the one hand, this is due to comparatively good habitats,
longer vegetation times and a broader range of tree species.
On the other hand, it is due to continuous maintenance of the
forests, the development of productive and habitat-adapted
mixed forests and longer harvest periods. German forests
have been managed according to the principle of sustainability
for over 200 years; i.e. the maximum amount of utilized
wood equals the regrowing amount. Careful handling of the
forests by several generations has resulted in the development
of a continuous stock.
Close to a third of Germany's land area - i.e. 11.1 million hectares - is covered with forests. Total wood supply in forests amount to approx. 3.4 billion cubic meters, i.e. it averages more than 300 cubic meters of wood per hectare. Thus, Germany holds the leading position compared to the rest of Europe. In Germany, the wood stocks is larger than that of the "traditional" wood countries, Finland and Sweden.
Source: BWI 2, 2004
Managed on a sustainable basis: solid and valuable forests
Germany's forests consist of 72 tree species. Of these, 26 nonconiferous and 7 coniferous tree species are used economically. The most important main tree species in this respect are spruce, pine, beech, and oak. Among the coniferous trees, larch and Douglas-fir play an important role in forestry in general, while the silver fir is important in Southern Germany. Regionally, high-grade non-coniferous trees such as ash, maple, and cherry play an important role as well. Other nonconiferous trees are hornbeam, birch, alder, lime, elm, poplar, and Robinia or "locust tree" - all play a minor role in forestry. Additional species include walnut, wild service tree, sweet and horse chestnut, and a number of wild fruit trees.
Source: BWI 2, 2004The distribution of tree species depends on the quality of the
soil, the climate and other environmental factors. Thus,
forestry itself is responsible for the distribution of tree
species. This results in substantial amounts of ecologically
important and stabilized mixed forests in many locations.The
current ratio of non-coniferous to coniferous trees in forests
is 41 to 59 percent. Economically managed forests grow vigorously and are very resilient to cold- or extreme weather
conditions such as snow or storms. Less resilient species are
allowed more space and contribute to the development of
multi-species mixed forests that are less likely to succumb to
pests.
Germany's forests consist of 72 tree species. Of these, 26 nonconiferous and 7 coniferous tree species are used economically. The most important main tree species in this respect are spruce, pine, beech, and oak. Among the coniferous trees, larch and Douglas-fir play an important role in forestry in general, while the silver fir is important in Southern Germany. Regionally, high-grade non-coniferous trees such as ash, maple, and cherry play an important role as well. Other nonconiferous trees are hornbeam, birch, alder, lime, elm, poplar, and Robinia or "locust tree" - all play a minor role in forestry. Additional species include walnut, wild service tree, sweet and horse chestnut, and a number of wild fruit trees.
Source: BWI 2, 2004
Forest clusters and timber:
employ more than the automobile industry
Based on the number of employees and sales, the forest and wood industries are among Germany's leading industries. According to the EU definition, this branch of industry has more employees than the automobile industry and generates more sales than the electronics- or civil engineering and terotechnology industries. It employs more than 1.3 million people, is comprised of more than 185,000 companies and generates annual sales of approx. 181 billion euro.
Based on the number of employees and sales, the forest and wood industries are among Germany's leading industries. According to the EU definition, this branch of industry has more employees than the automobile industry and generates more sales than the electronics- or civil engineering and terotechnology industries. It employs more than 1.3 million people, is comprised of more than 185,000 companies and generates annual sales of approx. 181 billion euro.
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