Forester-Researcher Workshop on Oriental beech

Summary

The workshop will be a forum for presenting and discussing the results of research on a network of 11 Oriental beech stands across France, Germany, and Switzerland. On the first day, talks given by researchers will cover a comparative analysis of European and Oriental beech regarding their phenology, growth, and wood anatomy, physiology, and genetics. In particular, extensive research will be presented on the hybridization of the two species and its consequences for the long-term survival of the stands. We will also discuss if remote sensing can be used to track the spread of Oriental beech in a European beech forest. Foresters managing forests with planted Oriental beech and responsible administrative bodies of the three countries will be invited. During the workshop session, foresters and researchers will consider the potential risks and benefits of using Oriental beech for assisted migration in Western Europe. On the second day, a field trip will take place to the forest of Allenwiller, where Oriental beech was introduced over 100 years ago. The event will close with talks introducing future projects on assisted migration in Europe and discussing the development of a protected network of sites.

Venue

The Hotellerie L'Etoile, Wasselonne, France, will provide the conference room, meals, and accommodation. The conference room and registration are limited to 70 people. The hotel has 43 rooms, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Several alternative accommodation options are available in the surrounding villages.

How to reach the venue?

Program

Tuesday, 10 June 2025

11:00-12:30 Why a workshop on assisted migration with Oriental beech?

Introductory talks on European and Oriental beech

14:00 - 16:00 What is the difference between European and Oriental beech?

Specific research talks by researchers and students

16:30 - 18:00 Forester-Researcher Workshop session

Foresters and researchers discuss the management of the existing network of Oriental beech introductions and plans for future introductions.

Wednesday, 11 June 2025

09:00 - 12:30 Field excursion to the forest of Allenwiller and its Oriental beech trees

14:00 - 16:00 Looking to the future

Talks on new projects on Oriental beech and other tree species that hybridize with local trees

Download the full program (PDF)

A multi-lingual event

All talks will be in English and simultaneously translated into French and German. AI technology will make translations available on your smartphone. Please bring your smartphones fully charged and your earphones to the event!

Registration

Registration deadline: 27 May 2025, 6 p.m.
The registration link will not function after this date.

Please contact katalin.csillery(at)wsl.ch if you want to register after this date.

Registration and payment by TICKETINO

Organization

This event is organized by researchers of the INRAe Nancy (France), the University of Freiburg (Germany), and the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL (Switzerland), who have been working on Oriental beech and its hybridization with European beech since 2019.

The results of the different research projects presented at the workshop have been supported by :

Organizing committee

Dr Katalin Csilléry, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland

Dr Christoph Sperisen, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland

Camilla Stefanini, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland

Luis Muheim, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland

Dr Martin Kohler, Universität Freiburg, Germany

Prof Dr Jürgen Bauhus, Universität Freiburg, Germany

Dr Didier Le Thiec, INRAE Nancy, France

Corinne Martin, INRAE Nancy, France

Contact

Dr Katalin Csilléry