The Fürstenallee natural monument is an impressive section of the historic route connection between the Lippe residence city of Detmold and the bishopric of Paderborn. Their age is estimated at around 300 years. The approximately 3 km long avenue consists of around 1,000 trees and is considered an outstanding baroque testimony of national importance.
It starts at the northern edge of the Strathe lowlands and runs in a straight line to the traditional Kreuzkrug. To the north is the Gauseköte Pass over the Teutoburg Forest.
The reason for the construction of the magnificent avenue was the construction of the Lippe hunting lodge Oesterholz, halfway between Detmold and Paderborn, towards the end of the 16th century. At the time of baroque absolutism in Lippe, the Fürstenallee had a representative and sovereign function. Noble travelers should be shown the prosperity and autonomy of the small state of Lippe.
The special feature of the Fürstenallee is that it is constructed in two rows in four lanes of oak and beech. The so-called summer paths running along the side of the main path also had a practical use. In the middle of the relatively treeless Senne landscape, the former riding and carter paths offered a pleasant journey in the shelter and shade of the trees. Today, these sections are used as cycle paths and footpaths.
Due to its stately age, the Fürstenallee is in its natural state of age and decay. In addition, pollutant emissions from the air, climate change and increased disease infestation weaken the tree population. Many trees are therefore already dead, diseased or severely weakened. Larger gaps can now be seen in some areas. As a result, the continued existence of the Fürstenallee in its original continuous and uniform form is in danger. In addition, securing road traffic is becoming more and more complex and expensive.
In order to preserve the historic condition of the double avenue and to secure it for the future, it was decided to gradually convert the Fürstenallee. The aim here is to largely preserve the original oaks that were first planted as witnesses of old oaks. According to the concept developed, the Fürstenallee is to be restored as a pure pedunculate oak avenue based on the historical model. The conversion will be carried out in three phases, staggered in terms of time and space. The avenue to the former hunting lodge was included, where the conversion has already begun as an immediate measure. Work on the actual Fürstenallee will begin shortly. By 2020, the gradual conversion and the new planting should be completed in all sections.
The old avenue with its numerous tree hollows and old and dead wood structures is known as a valuable habitat for numerous animal species. Woodpeckers use them primarily as a foraging habitat; the great spotted woodpecker even breeds on the busy avenue road. The importance of the Fürstenallee for bat species is remarkable. In 2005, 7 different species could be identified: the Nasturtium pipistrelle, the Nasturtium's bat, the water bat, the whiskered bat, the common noctule bat, the lesser noctule bat and the common pipistrelle.
The straight rows of trees serve as a connection and guidance system for the bats between Haverkampsee and the Teutoburg Forest, e.g. B. on hunting trips. Bats also use the avenue as a “road”. In addition, it has been proven that the common noctule bat accepts the tree cavities as its summer and winter quarters.