In November 2025, our team participated in a professional excursion in the Pilis Mountains in Hungary, organized by the Pro Silva Slovakia association in collaboration with Pro Silva Hungaria. The goal of the excursion was to learn about modern approaches to nature-friendly management of oak stands and to connect scientific research with everyday forestry practice.
The host was the state forestry company and our project partner in the Interreg HUSK #oakadapt project - Pilisi Parkerdő, which manages extensive areas under nature-friendly management. Participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with an innovative system for planning interventions at the level of stand gaps, digital data collection in the field, and the use of mobile applications for monitoring regeneration and damage caused by wildlife.
The program also included a visit to research plots where scientists have been comparing different methods of oak forest regeneration over the long term. The research results confirm that small-scale regeneration elements and selective management principles can maintain a favorable forest microclimate, support natural oak regeneration, and simultaneously increase biodiversity.
The practical part of the excursion also demonstrated targeted cultivation of elite oak individuals with an emphasis on supporting crown development, which allows for the production of high-quality valuable timber while maintaining the ecological stability of the stands.
The excursion was a valuable opportunity for our team to draw inspiration from foreign practices and proven scientific knowledge that can also be applicable in the conditions of Slovak forests.
The excursion took place with the support of the Interreg HUSK #oakadapt project, which is co-financed by the European Union.