ThüringenForst AöR

About one third of Thuringia’s area is covered by forests which equals about 0,5 million hectares in total. ThüringenForst as a state forest organisation owns 200 000 hectares of forest. This makes ThüringenForst the largest regional forest-owner. Timber stocks account for 350 cubic meters per hectare. It is due to the historical development of German forestry why Thuringian forests today are composed of about 60 % coniferous forests and 40 % deciduous forests. Spruce accounts for the largest share among the tree species (43 %), followed by beech trees (22 %), pine (10 %) and oak trees (6 %). ThüringenForst uses close-to-nature forest management to develop both ecologically and economically valuable forests with an integral approach. ThüringenForst is responsible for the formulation and implementation of concrete forest policy targets. Therefore private persons and corporate entities (notably municipalities) can enter in forest management contracts with ThüringenForst. This successful management concept is called “Gemeinschaftsforstamt” (translated: Joint Forest Office). In addition, ThüringenForst exerts on behalf of the responsible Ministry the forestry authority in all Thuringian forests- independant of ownership.

• Total forest area managed by member: 197 000 ha
• Total number of: employees: 1 305 people
• Annual harvest in: 2 187 326 m³