Tree Festival in Stefansdorf

How to plant a tree?

We met at 8.30 a.m. at the Kneipp path in Stefansdorf, a hamlet in the municipality of St. Lorenzen at the foot of the Kronplatz. Two men were waiting for us and greeted us warmly: Thomas from the Bruneck forestry station and Manuel, the area manager of Stefansdorf. The team is motivated, but not quite sure what to expect. This time, when we talk about the team, we are not just referring to the editorial team, as is usually the case with our blog. Including our boss Alexandra, there were 17 of us, equipped with sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes, gloves, spades, picks and hoes.

Before we start, Thomas gave us a short introduction. The Bruneck Forestry Station provided us with 400 seedlings to reforest the forest above the Kneipp facility. As a mixed deciduous and coniferous forest is more climate-resilient and sustainable, we planted spruce, larch, pine and maple trees. The trees should be planted diagonally, staggered at a distance of 2 to 3 metres, making sure that the roots point downwards and that they have enough space. The hole in which they are planted must be large enough and the soil must be well compacted once the tree is in place. We were quick enough to plant the first 400 seedlings, but we still had to plant 50 larger trees (deciduous, from cherry to birch).

Work comes before pleasure

We set off. We each take our tree and split up to find the best place to plant it. Digging is quick and easy in some places, but in others we struggle with roots and stones - pickaxes are more practical than shovels and spades. But as the saying goes, there is strength in numbers, and together we managed to get the job done, even though the larger trees meant bigger and more challenging holes to dig. But as a reward for our efforts, even the heavens were on our side and after a rather overcast start to the morning, we were able to see the blue of the sky. Before the bells rang at noon, we had completed our work, tired but satisfied.

Some of us had already lit fires in the nearby barbecue area. Exercise in the open air makes you hungry, and the smell of barbecued sausages, meat and vegetables was increasingly inviting. We enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, which ended with a sweet and refreshing ice cream, finally kissed by the warm rays of the sun. 

Sustainable group activity in nature

We can say we were lucky! When we planted the trees, we were not bothered by rain or too much heat, the soil was soft thanks to the heavy rains of the previous days and the seedlings were in the best possible condition. As soon as the work was done, the sun came out and gave our barbecue a summery touch. In the afternoon, a light drizzle ensured that the newly planted trees were watered! It really couldn't have gone any better. More showers are expected over the next few days, so our little trees have a good chance of taking root and growing into big, strong trees. It feels good to have contributed to the reforestation of the Pustertal forests with our own hands.