Asset Publisher Asset Publisher

Forests of our Forest District

Szprotawa Forest District Inspectorate includes two Sub-districts – Szprotawa and Małomice – and manages a total area of over 19 000 ha. Its share of forested areas is only 28.2% making it the lowest ratio in the entire Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Zielona Góra. Forests managed by the Inspectorate include forests maintained for industrial purposes, protected forests and reserves.

Landscape of the Forest District is very heterogeneous.The area of Szprotawa Sub-district and the southern part of Małomice Sub-district is quite monochromatic, whereas the northern part of Małomice Sub-district is known for its undulating landscape (end moraine) at places turning into hills.

Geological structure

The Forest District is located within the area of Middle Polish Glaciation, in Mazovia-Podlasie Stadial.It is dominated by geological deposits originating from the Tertiary and the Quaternary, such as:fluvioglacial sands and gravels, river sands and gravels and boulder clay and sand.

Types of forest habitats

Forest habitats of the Forest District consist mainly of mixed and coniferous forests, with a small share of riparian forests and alder forests.Pine is the most common tree and the entire forest ecosystem consists in 60% of this species.The second most common species is Oak followed by Alder.

Plants and animals

Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are home to a variety of plant and animal species, including those under strict and partial protection.There are over 20 protected plant and lichen species in the District, including:Common Cottongrass, Common Toothwort, Marsh Gentian, Purple Foxglove, Yellow Iris, Stiff Clubmoss or Usnea Filipendula.

Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are inhabited by many protected animal species. By Jerzy Wilanowski.

Mammal species includeWild Boar, Roe Deer, Deer, Fox, Raccoon Dog, Badger, Marten and Hare.Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are also inhabited by rare invertebrate species, including 9 species included on the Polish Red List of Animals.The species are:Medicinal Leech, Great Capricorn Beetle and Lucanus Cervus.

Apart from the protected invertebrate species there is a large number of amphibian and reptile species.The most interesting species includeViviparous Lizard, Smooth Snake and European Tree Frog.

Birds inhabiting the district also include many rare and endangered species:Black Stork, Whooper Swan, Wood Sandpiper, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Boreal Owl and the pride of the District – White-tailed Eagle.

White-tailed Eagle hunting. By Bergringfoto/Fotolia

Szprotawa Forest District on the map.


Asset Publisher Asset Publisher

Back

Natural monuments

Natural monuments

Natural monuments are usually single specimen of animated and inanimate nature. The most common natural monuments to be found in forests are the oldest and largest trees. In 2012 there were almost 11 000 natural monuments in Poland, including 8500 trees.

There are 22 natural monuments within the territory of Szprotawa Forest District.

"Chrobry" Oak is the most impressive natural monument in this area. It has been protected since 1966. It is the oldest specimen of this species in Poland and its estimated age is 750 years. The tree grows in the vicinity of "Buczyna Szprotawska" Nature Reserve, close to the village of Piotrowice. It is noteworthy that its acorns were blessed by Pope John Paul II during pilgrimage of foresters to Vatican in 2004. 500 seedlings produced from these acorns at nursery farm in Rudy Raciborskie were planted all over Poland as so-called "Pope's Oaks" to commemorate the Polish Pope.

Chrobry Oak – facts and titbits.