Decaing wood brings forest to life

Dead, decaying wood and veteran trees are extremely important building blocks of the forest ecosystem: a lot of species depend on them in one way or another. Rotting wood is also a vital link in carbon and mineral cycles.

In relatively young and managed forests, veteran trees are missing and there is often only a limited supply and diversity of dead and decaying wood. Their presence is often perceived as untidy and unkempt.

Yet we should strive to give veteran trees and decaying wood a place in managed forests too. After all, in a 'clean' and 'tidy' forest, there is little to experience.