Broadleaved tree species have been neglected and pushed back from their natural sites by forest devastation and afforestation with coniferous species in former times. Nevertheless due to recent changes in economical and ecological considerations, a growing interest in cultivating valuable broadleaved trees evolved. However, the scientific know-how about the species and the silvicultural requirements is still very weak. The need for additional information was the starting point of ValBro, a European cooperation project. The main focus lies in the gathering and the exchange of information, knowledge and experience between different countries in order to develop new management options for the production of valuable broadleaved wood and non-wood forest products such as biodiversity, habitat creation and restoration, landscape development and recreational values. After four years of activity, the program will come to an end in November 2008.
The international conference on growing valuable broadleaved tree species should not only summarize the work, which has been completed during the four years activity of ValBro, it should also give an overview over the latest research activities, which are dealing with valuable broadleaves and lead to new perspectives for international research and cooperation work.
The conference will be held in Freiburg from October 6th – 8th. The overall goal of this conference is to communicate the current state of research on rare valuable tree species worldwide to an international audience. Special attention is given to thematic aspects of valuable broadleaved tree species such as ecology, management options, landscape aspects and society’s perceptions. The exchange of ideas and experiences is meant to develop new concepts of utilization and management of valuable broadleaved trees. As research on valuable broadleaved tree species is still rather young and as no similar international research platform has existed so far, a high number of participants and a strong international attention are expected.
Download the flyer of the conference 
[1.3MB]
During the first one and a half days, selected key issues will be discussed during plenary sessions. A more detailed content of these sessions will be published before the conference. In general, the focus will be put on the following four topics:
all related to valuable broadleaved tree species
Call for contributions! If you want to contribute to the conference with a presentation or a poster, please click here. Deadline for application has been extended until July 25th 2008.
The deadline has expired. Please refrain from sending any contributions.The parallel sessions will start in the afternoon of the second day and will focus on:
On the third day, a full day excursion to the French and the German side of the Rhine valley provides the opportunity to visit different demonstration plots and emphasizes the international character of the event. For more information, please refer to the detailed program of the conference.
Here you can find a map of Freiburg center as well as information regarding the transfer from railway station to the venue (KG1).[124KB]
For more information please contact:
| Chairman and host | |
| Prof. Heinrich Spiecker | +49 (0) 761 203 3737 |
| Event organization | |
| Johanna Storch (secretary of ValBro) | +49 (0) 761 203 8543 |
| Fax | +49 (0) 761 203 3740 |
| Johanna.Storch@iww.uni-freiburg.de | |
| Laura v.d. Kerchove (assistant staff) | +49 (0) 761 203 8543 |
| Laura_vdkerchove@iww.uni-freiburg.de | |
