Wurzelweg Nature Trail

From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the oak had an economic importance, which we are hardly aware of today. The acorns were used primarily as food for pigs, sheep, goats and also for humans. At the end of the 18th century, wood was in demand as never before, as a raw material and in Switzerland practically the only source of energy. In addition, after the wars of the Napoleonic era, many ruined communities are forced to liquidate their valuable oak stands for fundraising. From the mid-19th century, the oak industry has recovered a bit, the tree species is harder than ever used. The railroad is coming, and the construction of its route is swallowing up enormous quantities of threshold timber. No other native tree is home to so many animal species as pedunculate oak and sessile oak. Oak-rich stands are among the richest bird species habitat. Single old oak trees act as stepping stones for birds and small mammals. Without the care of man, the light tree oak is subject to the competitive beech. The oak is one of the valuable hardwoods and is used for tabletops, floors and veneers. Oak wood has a high resistance to rotting. It is used for stairs, parquet floors, exterior doors, thresholds, timber trusses and in hydraulic engineering.