Information about Woody Plants

In Eastern Asia, the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), known as Sugi in Japan, plays a central role in Japanese culture as a sacred temple tree. Here it is also used for the production of essential oils as well as for timber and veneers. Populating some 50% of Japanese forests, it is the most important tree for the country’s forestry sector. In Europe, this decorative tree is planted in its many cultivated forms and varieties in gardens and parks. It reaches heights of up to 50 metres in Japanese mountain forests.

The Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) originates from a region in present-day Iran as its botanical name "persica" implies. This small, drought-tolerant tree transforms into a brilliant red and orange colour spectacle in autumn. The Persian ironwood often features multiple trunks and develops an attractive exfoliating bark on older trunks. Its wood has an extremely high density causing it sinks in water, hence the name ironwood.

The Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera) is a member to the yew family (Taxaceae). It owes its name to its nutmeg-like, edible fruits. Like the native yew, the Japanese nutmeg-yew is extremely tolerant of pruning and shade. New growth even sprouts from old wood after being severely cut back. Valued for its excellent wood properties, intensive logging has resulted in the nutmeg-yew, which can reach heights of 25 metres, becoming rare in its natural habitat in Japan, where it is now a protected species.

The sequoia (Sequoia sempervirens) is native to the southern Pacific coast of North America. First described in 1847, this evergreen tree belongs to the sequoia subfamily (Sequoioideae) along with the mountain redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) from the Rocky Mountains and the ancient sequoia (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) native to China. The tallest known living tree in the world, measuring almost 116 metres, is the "Hyperion" coast redwood in Redwood National Park in northwestern California.

The natural habitat of the Carolina silverbell (Halesia carolina) is the southern United States. This large shrub owes its name to its striking flowers, which bloom in April and May before the leaves appear and resemble snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). In addition to the beautiful flowers, this large shrub, which is somewhat of rarity in European parks and gardens, is often planted for the interesting fruits that last throughout the winter. Because of its similar habitat demands, Halesia combines well with rhododendrons and magnolias.

Yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) is the state tree of Montana and one of many pine species that require very light habitats. It has exceptionally long needles compared to other trees in the pine family (Pinaceae) and copes well with drought. Acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons can thrive under the pine's sparse crown. In its natural habitat in the Siskiyou Mountains in the USA, the pine species, which can reach heights of 70 metres, is partly endangered by Douglas fir monocultures and severe forest fires.

The alpine newt is at home in ponds and small puddles in the forest. The animals come to the water in early spring to reproduce.

The males then develop their mating plumage with a dotted seam of skin on the back and a blue upper side. With a little patience, you can see the orange belly of the animals light up on the surface of the water when they come up for air. After mating, the female lays individual eggs on aquatic plants or fallen leaves over a period of several weeks. The larvae feed mainly on mosquito larvae and later on larger aquatic insects. But they themselves are also prey for many animals such as grass snakes and dragonfly larvae. The tadpoles of grass frogs, common toads and the larvae of fire salamanders also develop in fish-free ponds close to the forest.

Until the middle of the last century, the Eckhöfe, like many other settlements near the forest, were not connected to the municipal water supply. Until then, a spring located above in the forest served as the water supply. To bring the water to the houses, a water pipe made of wooden pipes, the so-called "Deicheln", was used. For this purpose, logs of 3 or 4 metres in length, as straight as possible, were drilled through the centre and joined together. This work required a great deal of skill, as the drill had to be guided very precisely. The finished dykes were stored in this specially constructed dyke pond. Here they were protected from cracking due to drying out. This meant that replacement dykes could be kept in stock so that the pipeline could be repaired quickly.