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Hesse's acorns in the wellness program: This is how strong trees are created!
In the new seed center in Hanau, acorns are processed to make Hesse's forests more climate-resilient. Innovative processes ensure high-quality seeds.
Hesse's acorns in the wellness program: This is how strong trees are created!
In Hanau, where the future of the forests begins, a true natural wonder is created from acorns! The new seed center uses the latest technology and a touch of magic to ensure that this year's acorn harvest produces robust and resilient trees. “Our goal is to produce high-quality seeds for the forest of tomorrow,” explains Jens Stangl, the center’s deputy technical director. This is where the acorn becomes the star!
Processing the acorns is a fascinating process that is reminiscent of a wellness program. First, the acorns are immersed in a special whirlpool, where they are separated from the weak and sick specimens by jets. “It's like Cinderella: the good ones in the potty, the bad ones in the crockpot,” says Stangl, describing the process. The light acorns, infested with pests, float to the surface and are removed by a conveyor belt. The healthy acorns then undergo thermotherapy to kill harmful fungi - a real wellness holiday for the little seeds!
The oaks' baby station
After their “relaxation”, the best acorns are stored in special wooden containers before either going into the cold room or being prepared for transport. Stangl calls this crucial step “sagging.” From Hanau we continue to the only state tree nursery in Hesse, where the acorns grow into small trees. Lars Brauner from the tree nursery explains: “The seedlings are sown here and grow for two years before they are distributed into the forests of Hesse.” Some of the oak seedlings are also delivered to private tree nurseries to strengthen forests against climate change.
The new seed center, which opened at the end of May, can now show what it can do during the main harvest season. With a capacity of up to 100 tons of acorns per year, the foundation for the forests of tomorrow is being laid here. “A crucial basis for the ability of forests to adapt to climate change is the use of genetically high-quality seeds and planting material,” emphasizes the Hessian Forestry Ministry. The future of oak trees is being shaped here in Hanau – with a pinch of innovation and a portion of passion!