Woods Most Wanted: beech wood and spruce

For the production, so-called “thinning trees” are used. These result when thinning out the forests and they are, for example, no longer suitable for the production of furniture or house construction. In general it can be said that the spruce tree is the coniferous tree most used in Central Europe and the beech tree also enjoys great popularity. But what else is there to tell about the forest industry’s two top favorites?

The most wanted deciduous tree

The beech tree also known as fagus sylvatica is the „Mother of the Forest“, since it enhances the soil, offers shade and acts as an air filter. Moreover, it has a heart root system which has a stabilizing effect on the soil and its beechnuts provide food for the forest animals. The beech wood can grow to around 40 meters. It tends also to be drought-resistant and occurs in valleys as well as in the mountains. The stock of beech trees in our forests is continuously rising in a move away from the monocultures of the past and to promote the growth of mixed woodland. Beech trees are also popular in gardens for planting hedges. One of the reasons for this is that they shed their leaves very late. The wood of the beech tree is slightly reddish and is favored in furniture or parquet flooring.

The most wanted coniferous tree

The Picea abies, which is the official botanic term for the „common spruce tree“ can grow to around 50 meters. It prefers soil, which is well aired and not too dry, and it is one of the fastest growing trees. The spruce tree can cope really well with the cold but not so well with hot summers. In the forestry sector the spruce tree is also called the „bread tree“ since it grows quickly and its wood can be easily processed. It is mainly used in wood construction or in paper production. The seed of the spruce tree also provides nourishment for the animals of the forest.

Source & further information:

• Lenzing Sustainability Report 2019