Date
Trees
4 000
Area
1.3 ha
Offset volume
1 048 tonnes
Land ownership type
State-owned
Afforestation partner
Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesforste
Tree species
Wild cherry, sycamore maple, pedunculate oak, hornbeam, shrubs

New mixed forest in the Hüttener Hills

In the municipality of Hütten in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, a new forest is being created on former farmland. On around 1.31 hectares, we planted a new climate-resilient mixed forest here in autumn 2025. The project was implemented together with the Schleswig-Holstein State Forests. The area had previously been used intensively for agriculture. Through this reforestation, forest is being established here for the first time—an important step toward increasing forest cover in Schleswig-Holstein and creating new habitats for wildlife and plants.

About the Hütten afforestation

The afforestation expands an already existing, near-natural forest complex in the hills of Hüttener. The area is crossed by the Hüttener Au and features varying elevations. The new forest is planted on the higher parts of the site, while the lower-lying areas are left to allow the natural development of the watercourse and the surrounding vegetation.

Additional native shrub species along the forest edges create structurally rich transition zones between forest and open land. This provides valuable habitats for many animal and plant species.

Site and Soil

The site is characterized by periodically wet to water-retentive glacial marl soils, which are very well supplied with nutrients. These conditions provide a strong foundation for the development of a stable mixed forest. The varied topography, with small differences in elevation, creates diverse microhabitats that will support a high level of structural diversity in the future forest.

Tree species growing here

A mixed forest of site-adapted, predominantly native tree species has been planted on the area. In total, around 4 000 trees have been planted. The main tree species on the site are wild cherry, sycamore maple, pedunculate oak, and hornbeam. In addition, native shrubs have been planted to form a species-rich forest edge.

Planting and Maintenance

For the afforestation, the area was first prepared, including mulching work and adjustments to existing drainage systems. The trees were then planted. A wildlife protection fence protects the young trees from browsing. During the first years, the site will be maintained regularly, for example through mowing, clearing competing vegetation, and checking the fence. The new forest will be managed in the coming years according to the sustainable management standards of the FSC- and PEFC-certified Schleswig-Holstein State Forests.

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Our objectives for this site

  • Strengthening the climate, soil, and water balance
  • Promoting biodiversity
  • Ecological and landscape enhancement of the region
  • Measurable contribution to climate protection through CO2 sequestration of up to 10 t CO2 equivalents per hectare per year

Timeline