Study trip 2024, Czech Republic
Full
The day will be in french / english
Study trip 2024, Czech Republic
From 08 September to 14 September 2024 - Czech Republic
Objective
In 2024, our study trip will take us to the Czech Republic. The Czech forests have certain similarities with the Walloon forests, particularly in terms of the rate of afforestation and the structure of ownership: 34% of the territory is wooded and 53% of the forests are public. In terms of forest species, more than 70% of the forests are made up of coniferous trees. The main species are spruce, pine, beech and oak. Like Belgium, the Czech Republic was severely affected by the bark beetle epidemic in 2018.
Our route will start in Prague and then take us eastwards to the Sudeten Mountains and Orlické Hory. We'll then head south to Brno in South Moravia. We finish in Central Bohemia and then the Pilsen region in the west of the country.
Along the way, we'll be visiting large family forests managed by teams of professional foresters (the Colloredo-Mannsfeld family, the Kolowrat-Krakowsky family), the forests of Mendelu University, most of which are managed using pro silva forestry, and the forests of the town of Pilsen. We will also have the opportunity to look at game management and the research undertaken by the Czech government into forest genetics.
Logistically, we will be leaving Barchon by coach on the morning of Sunday 8 September and returning to Barchon on the evening of Saturday 14 September. There will be a car park at Barchon where you can park your cars on site.
Forward programme
Sunday 8 September
Departure from the Léonard coach depot in Barchon. Arrival in Prague in the evening.
Monday 9th September
Visit to the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute (FGMRI) in Jíloviště
- Introduction to Czech forests
- Visit to the forest genetics research centre
Visit to the Opocno experimental nursery
Visit to the Colloredo Mannsfeld family forest estate in Opocno
- Game management
- Forestry in wetlands
- Transformation of spruce stands into mixed stands
- Douglas fir forestry
Tuesday 10th September
Visit to the Kolowrat Krakowský family forest estate in Rychnov nad Kněžnou
- Special features of mountain forest management
Visit to the Lesy CR forestry company in Týniště nad Orlicí
- Organisation of the seed industry, seed orchard improvement programme
Wednesday 11th September
Forest of the Mendelu University in Brno
- Explanation of the operational management planning for a forest covering several thousand hectares
- Visits to plots illustrating the transition from regular to irregular forestry
Thursday 12 September
Visit to the Colloredo Mannsfeld family forest estate in Zbiroh
- Natural regeneration of Pectin Fir and its adaptation to climate change
- Interest in returning to coppice management on certain less productive plots of the estate
Friday 13 September
Visit to the communal forests of the city of Pilsen
- Sofronka Arboretum
- Use of poplar clones in coppicing for wood energy production
- Impact on the management of the recreational function of certain areas of the forest
Visit to the Kolowrat-Krakowský family forest estate in Přimda
- Spruce forest management
- What regeneration system should be used (natural, planting, mixed) and what land preparation should be carried out?
- Management of protected species - beaver, wolf
Saturday 14th September
Return by coach to Barchon.
Practical information and prices
MEETING PLACE
Departure from Barchon at 6.30 am. Possibility of joining the group in Prague at the hotel on Sunday evening.
Organisational costs
- in a 2-person room: €1,100/person.
- in a single room: €1,450/person.
Registration
