Bialowieza Forest, Poland

[David Humphries]

I've recently returned from a short trip to the east of Poland near to the Belarus border. I thought I would share the experience.

 

The weekends focus was a seminar looking at the background to a new book that is being written by three authors (Dirk Dujesiefken (Institute of Arboriculture, Hamburg, Germany) Jan Willem De Groot, (Dutch Consulting Arborist) & Neville Fay, (Chartered Arboriculturist, Director at Treework Environmental Practice)

 

The book will look at how our industry can work toward an integrated vision for tree care throughout its lifetime from establishment, through to maturity and on in to its veteran & ancient life stages.

 

Our hosts were the European Union Life project and more specifically the Polish 'Roads to Nature' project which campaigns promoting trees in Poland's rural landscape as habitats and ecological corridors.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=4346

 

The delegates came from Poland, Holland, Germany, Italy, Russia, USA & the UK.

 

 

Picture credit - Jakub Jozeczuk.

[David Humphries]

The first day involved an early morning trip out with a guide to witness some of the European Bison heard (500+ numbers) which roam the forest and forages out on the meadows.

 

This was followed by a visit to a local fungi exhibition and then back to the center for a series of lectures by the book authors, Ted Green (English Nature and the Crown Estates adviser & co-founder of the Ancient Tree Forum) & Peter Del Tredici (Senior Research Scientist, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University)

 

 

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[David Humphries]

In the evening we were treated to an outdoor showing of the film 'The Secret Life of Trees' by the Polish Wildlife Film Maker Artur Homan

 

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The cinema was a communist built Rail Station that is no longer used, which has now become a community park and impromptu cinema.

 

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[David Humphries]

We also had the pleasure of experiencing a guided trip in to the Strictly Protected Area of the Bialowieza National Park which is regarded as Europe's finest example of 'virgin' primeval forest.

 

A past article in the AA magazine by Luke Barley, Jamie Simpson & Zuza Kukelka (Issue 163-Winter 2013 ' In search of decay fungi in the primeval forest of Bialowieza' debates whether the forest is truly a natural wildwood.

 

It does nonetheless have a number of very large and old trees reaching out of the understory canopy.

Some of these oaks are up to and above 40+ meters in height !

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bia%C5%82owie%C5%BCa_Forest

 

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[Stubby]

Like the Bison David . Honestly did not realise there were any . Thought it was North America/ Canada you found them .

[David Humphries]

The truly remarkable nature of this part of the forest is the quality of its biodiversity from the decaying of the fallen and standing dead wood to the saproxylic species that live & feed off them. You can not help but trip up on the fungi and beetles that are the protagonists of this living theater before your very eyes.

 

some of the diversity of fungi can be seen here on this thread......

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/fungi-pictures/10467-travelling-fungalburys-4.html

 

 

although a word to the wise, getting up close and personal to group of hornets to get a shot was not the brightest of ideas as I porceeded to take a couple of stings to my arm and head !

 

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[Haironyourchest]

Looks like paradise David. Lucky Poles, and all the eastern europeans, fabulous healthy countryside.

 

so...A couple of African Buffalo are on holiday in North America, strolling across the great plains...and they cross paths with a pair of cowboys. One cowboy mutters to the other, as they pass "Gee Frank, those are the ugliest damn Bison I ever seen..."

 

Well, the Buffaloes are shocked at this rudeness and stare after the cowboys as they ride off into the sunset. The one Buffalo turns to the other and says "....I do believe I just heard a discouraging word..."

[David Humphries]

Although originally (briefly) from Germany, I hadn't ever visited Poland on my European travels before. The people, culture and landscape were a very pleasant part of the experience and it was a trip that has left me with much to ponder, many questions and lots of new contacts to interact with.

 

The place we stayed (Wejmutka Manor) was a fine base to relax and socialise and I would thoroughly recommend a stay if you're ever of the mind to visit this part of Poland.

 

ACCOMMODATION .: bialowieza biodiversity academy, Wejmutka:. bia??owie?a, forest, biodiversity, workshop, nature, hotel

 

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[silky fox]

What an amazing adventure! I bet you were in your element....great thread with superb pictures as always

[David Humphries]

Hello Paul

 

great Company, great Vodka & of course great Fungi, what more could an Arb geek need

 

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