As the area was snowed over last year, the planting was carried out in the spring.
The HSZG plants a tree for every first-year student. For the winter semester 2023/24, this planting was supposed to take place on 29.11.2023, but it felt like 30 cm of fresh snow fell on the night of the planting date, so the planting had to be postponed. Shortly after Easter, the time had come and the 'Erstibäume' trees were planted under the expert supervision of Mr. Forgber, head of the Jonsdorf forest district, and his colleagues.
Eleven volunteer students from various faculties and degree courses, including three members of the StuRa, Environmental Coordinator Ulrike Bobek and Rector Prof. Alexander Kratzsch planted 400 copper beeches in the area. " That's not quite enough," says Ulrike Bobek, "after all, we enrolled 536 students last October, but more was simply not possible in the stony and steep terrain." The remaining trees will be replanted by the forestry staff and more will be added to the area above the Sorgeteich pond in Waltersdorf. Silver fir trees will also be added. Fencing off the area will encourage the natural regeneration of rowan trees, which can already be seen here and there.
Whether beech, silver fir or rowan, choosing the right tree species is particularly important in view of the increasingly dry summers. "We are doing our best for future generations," says district forester Forgber. On this day, he patiently answers all questions and actively and helpfully supports precisely this future generation, our students.
In the coming winter semester 2024/25, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will once again be awarding one tree per newly enrolled student and newly enrolled student.
