Aus der Geschichte der Forst- und Holzwirtschaft Großbritanniens

Wien

1965

S. 100-123

Unselbständiges Werk

200062379

The economical and political development has always influenced the management of forestry in this Kingdom. In former times, Great Britain was entirely woodland. In the Southern Counties, the oak predominated along with beech and other broadleaved trees likewise, in Scotland the "Scottish Pine". The climate of Ireland is affected by the Golfstream and has therefore a more mediterranean flora. Seafaring, and all the wars in connection with it has always been of great importance, also th production of charoal was necessary for the growing steel-industry. The oaks of the southern forests supplied the wood for ship-building and for the production of the best charcoal. there were two kinds of growth in the oak-forests: high woods and joung undergrowth. After the felling, there remained only a few trees, about 50 "standards" pro acre. The importance of chopping was soon recognized, especially during the wars, when wood for ship-building was in great demand. Regulations for the control of the forests were issued, but were seldom kept. The Colonies were also of increasing importance on account of wood-delivery, and 75 wood-species in all have been named in "Lloyd's Register for ship-building". The political development has greatly influenced the Britith forests, e.g. the ways devastated and there remained only the cutdown areas. In former years, money-demands of various kings also influenced the forest-management greatly. The came the trying circumstances on account of wood-transport to the coast or to the dockyards and the risk of sea-pirates. Of all the forests, the "Forest of Dean", the "New-Forest" and the "Alice-Holt" were the largest. The administration was very old-fashioned, and only small success was registrated. It was not possible from the northern states of Europe. As France was also in need of timber, there ensued wars - the wood-wars - between Great Britain and France. Much wood was required for the building of bridges and channels. About 1800, with the beginning of the "Commercial Revolution", the production of coal became more and more necessary, and the demand for pit-props increased. With the invention of the Paper-Maschine, the need for wood increased for the production of paper. The import of wood of all sorts is very considerable to-day. An afforestation-programme has fixed the afforestation on one million ha (2ʹ million acres) for 50 years, beginning 15 years ago. The came the change in the demand for wood, because the houses were no longer built from it, and the ships were constructed with steel. In spite of this, England still used too much wood and as little was forested, the country still relid on wood import. This condition has not improved until to-day, in spite of an increase in forestry.