Forest.

A responsibility to protect and preserve.

A responsibility to protect and preserve.

The forest and its care have played a major role in the life of our family for centuries. Forests have always been an important source of natural resources, but still more vital as a place to find joy in nature. In addition to economic value, forests provide habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. The forest is also the scene of the hunt, which has a long tradition in our family.

The forest is a place of peace and recuperation, silence and safety. Forest preservation and protection are very important to us.

The purpose of the forest.

In 2016, we went a big step in doing justice to the original purpose of the forest. We joined the Donau-Auen National Park. Forestry use is now largely at an end and the forest can breathe a sigh of relief, enjoy the peace and flourish as nature intended.

The purpose of the forest.

In 2016, we went a big step in doing justice to the original purpose of the forest. We joined the Donau-Auen National Park. Forestry use is now largely at an end and the forest can breathe a sigh of relief, enjoy the peace and flourish as nature intended.

National park.

Approximately 500 ha of our Petronell floodplain has been divided into three areas. One section is entirely subject to provisions for the national park. A second section is managed by the estate in conformance with national park guidelines under a cooperation agreement, while a third, smaller section is being farmed in the traditional manner. We use the latter two areas primarily to supply ourselves and our district heating plant with wood-chips. Selective felling is carried out to limit hybrid poplar growth and restore the native vegetation.

The forest works as an enormous vacuum cleaner for CO2. Trees photosynthesise, using hydrocarbons to fuel growth. A single tree will store some 4.5 tonnes of CO2 in its trunk, branches and roots during its lifetime. At the same time, trees produce the valuable oxygen we all need to breathe.

Did you know that on the Petronell floodplain...

  • 5,000 tonnes of CO2 are captured every year?
  • approximately 1 m³ of wood grows every hour?
  • since our involvement with the national park 40,650 trees have not been cut down?
  • 33 mammal species and some 100 different birds make their homes?
  • 71 beavers live in 17 different beaver territories?
  • 800 higher plant varieties grow and thrive?
  • 2,480 insect species live?

Did you know that on the Petronell floodplain...

  • 5,000 tonnes of CO2 are captured every year?
  • approximately 1 m³ of wood grows every hour?
  • since our involvement with the national park 40,650 trees have not been cut down?
  • 33 mammal species and some 100 different birds make their homes?
  • 71 beavers live in 17 different beaver territories?
  • 800 higher plant varieties grow and thrive?
  • 2,480 insect species live?

Photo gallery