Forestry offices in the Harz reported on 3 November 2026 that dense blackberry growth was causing increasing problems and making new planting on clear-felled areas more difficult. The shrubs overrun open ground, compete for light and water, and hinder the planting of young trees. This practical obstacle comes at a time when forest regeneration following damaging events such as storms, drought and bark beetles is set to get under way on a large scale.
At the end of October 2026, the Lower Saxony state government gave the go-ahead for reforestation in the Harz. At the launch event at Lauterberg Forestry Office the first trees were planted on 27 October. Since then, district foresters have reported areas, particularly in the Upper Harz where brambles have grown so densely that it is difficult to prepare planting spots and seedlings are quickly overgrown. Forestry professionals regard this as an acute operational problem, not a political dispute.
In response, Lower Saxony State Forests and local forestry offices are making greater use of mechanical preparatory work. This includes narrow planting furrows made with walking excavators, breaking up root mats with suitable attachments, and selectively clearing planting patches. These interventions are intended to help young trees take root in the short term. However, forestry authorities say they are planned according to local conditions to take account of soil protection and erosion risks, while keeping costs in view.
Experts explain the problem in terms of how land changes after large-scale damage: brambles find ideal conditions on open, sun-exposed soil and become established within just a few growing seasons. Without maintenance, this significantly increases the work required during the first years of a stand’s development. Forestry offices therefore point to the need for additional staff and funding. Lower Saxony’s programme provides for corresponding resources and multi-year maintenance phases, because stable mixed forests can only be established with continuous support.
At the same time, experts stress that brambles are not inherently harmful. They protect the soil and young growth, provided planting spots are kept clear. Forestry authorities therefore expect a combination of mechanical preparation, silvicultural maintenance and the selection of tree species suited to each site in the coming planting seasons. The aim is to press ahead reliably with reforestation in the Harz despite dense undergrowth and establish the next generation of forest.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).