Objectives

This year, the study trip will take us to the west of Germany. We'll be following a north-south transect from Cologne to Saarbrücken. The climate and soil types we will encounter are very similar to those in Belgium. It will therefore be particularly interesting to compare the silviculture practised by our German colleagues with what is done here.

The number of participants is limited to 45 people. This trip is reserved for paid-up members. The first people to register who are in good health (we'll be walking a long way through the forest every day) will be given priority.

We look forward to meeting you or getting to know you on our study trip, and would be grateful if you could complete the registration form below.

Remarks : During the visits, some of the speakers will be in German or English. We will endeavour to provide a summary in French.

Programme (subject to change)

(PDF format)

03 September

Departure by coach in the early afternoon from 4671 Barchon (parking des voyages Léonard)

Arrive in Wuppertal late afternoon, check into the Best Western Waldorf Eskeshof hotel, welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.

04 September

Morning

Visit the Wuppertal arboretum. Covering an area of 250 hectares, it contains around a hundred different species of deciduous and coniferous trees from almost every continent in the world. The arboretum was set up in the 1970s to test the adaptability of different species for timber production purposes. Today, it serves as a test plot for foresters in the Rhineland.

Afternoon

A visit to the Cologne experimental forest. This forest was planted in 2010. It is divided into 4 sections, each designed to study a different facet of the forest's functions.

Late afternoon, arrival in Euskirchen and check-in at the Welcome Parkhotel. Dinner at the hotel.

05 September

Morning

Visit to Eiffel National Park. This park, founded in 2004, covers more than 110km2, 75 % of which is left to evolve freely.

Afternoon

Visit the de Mérode family estate. The Belgian de Mérode family owns a forest estate in the north of the Eifel. This property has been hit hard by spruce bark beetles. Together we will discuss the work that the family will be doing to restore their forest and the levers available in Germany to help them.

Arrive late afternoon in Mulheim in the Moselle valley and check into the Hotel Weisser Baer. Dinner at the hotel.

06 September

A day spent with the staff of the Emmelshausen forestry research station. This research station looked at a number of topics, including QD silviculture for warty birch, the restoration of protection forests on the banks of the Moselle and the impact of soil preparation techniques on the recovery and growth of seedlings.

07 September

Morning

Visit the Eugen Decker sawmill in Morbach. Founded in 1962, the Eugen Decker sawmill specialises in the production of glulam and is one of the leaders in the sector.

Afternoon

Visit to a forest devoted to the silviculture of Douglas fir and fir (abies alba).

Late afternoon, arrival near Saarbrücken, in Homburg. Check-in at the Hotel Schlossberg and dinner at the hotel.

08 September

Visits to plots managed using QD forestry. We will be hosted by Georg Wilhelm near Limbach. We'll have the opportunity to visit plots of various ages and species to get a good idea of the work and felling to be carried out using this forestry method.

At the end of the day, you arrive in Barchon, in the Voyages Léonard coach company car park.

Rates

• in a 2-person room: €1,100/person.
• in a single room: €1,450/person.

We will be staying in 4 different 4-star hotels.

These prices include : accommodation, meals, visits, accompaniment by SRFB, documentation. Personal expenses and drinks at evening dinners are not included in the price. All midday meals will be of the lunch pack type and taken in the forest.

Once we have received your registration form, we will send you a confirmation letter with a request for payment of the price of the trip.

Cancellation policy : If you cancel your participation in writing and only in the event of force majeure, the SRFB will reimburse you as follows: 70 days before the start date of the trip, the reimbursement will be 100% of the price of the trip. After this date, the refund will vary depending on the possibility of cancelling at the hotels and a flat-rate amount of €100/person will be deducted. If you propose someone to replace you, this must be approved by the SRFB.
In all cases, the SRFB will be reimbursed after the intervention of your insurance company and cannot result in a total reimbursement (insurance and SRFB) greater than the amount paid.

Cancellation insurance : SRFB has not taken out any cancellation or other insurance. If you do not have any, please consult your insurance broker.
Covid-19: it is the responsibility of each participant to comply with the rules in force in the countries visited.
In the event of cancellation of the trip by SRFB 60 days before departure for reasons of force majeure (Covid, flooding, etc.), the refund will be 100% less €10 per person for administrative costs.

Practical information

MEETING PLACE
It will be sent to you in the confirmation letter.