It is now known that forests are essential for our planet and for life on it. The continued existence and protection of forests is therefore a major concern. How do forests and humans function side by side? To find out, we asked a person who probably knows the forest best: the forester. We are delighted to have been able to put these and other questions to the Swiss forester Peter Piller.
How did you become a forester?
Peter: Even as a little boy, I worked in the forest with my father. The forest has always fascinated me, whether in my hobbies or when working with the chainsaw. After a trial apprenticeship, it was immediately clear to me what path I would take.
What do you like best about your job?
Peter: Clearly the work in nature and the variety that this profession brings. The long-term and sustainable thinking, which is probably in demand in no other profession as it is here in the forest.
What are the tasks of a forester?
Peter: The profession is very versatile and the forester is a generalist. It depends a lot on which region you work in and how the company is organised. My main tasks in Rüschegg are advising forest owners, marking the trees to be felled, planning felling and planting, maintaining the infrastructure (forest roads, etc.), selling timber and managing the forestry operation with eight employees.
What difficulties do you experience in your job?
Peter: Reconciling the different demands on the forest and finding the best solution. There is often a lack of understanding of forest management on the part of the population and authorities.
The forestry staff plan at least two generations in advance. In order to have a durable forest that fulfils its functions, we must and may fell trees. With the wood from these trees we harvest the only renewable raw material in Switzerland. With the sustainable forestry that we practise in Switzerland, we are doing something very positive for the forest and producing aCO2-neutral building material. The price of roundwood in Switzerland is very low, yet two-thirds of the wood we need is imported from abroad. It is very difficult to run the forestry business profitably.
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To what extent do foresters do something good for the environment by cutting down trees?
Peter: The felled trees give us the renewable andCO2-neutral raw material wood. It makes sense to harvest wood sustainably in our forests to prevent wood from being transported halfway around the world or from clearing virgin and tropical forests. By cutting down trees, we make room for youth and bring light to the soil. We try to promote the mix by helping rare Tree- and shrub species. By harvesting trees, we strengthen stand stability and promote biodiversity.
What are the challenges facing the Swiss forest?
Peter: The pressure from the population on the forest, its inhabitants and the forest owners is constantly increasing. It is impossible to meet all the demands of bikers, horse riders, dog walkers, hikers, etc. A big challenge is to inform the population that every forest has an owner and that we are doing something very important and good for the forest functions with the management.
Do you feel the effects of climate change on the forest?
Peter: We notice that the tree line is shifting upwards. The tree species are shifting. Certain tree species like spruces are struggling with the drought. They are susceptible to the bark beetle or other pests.
What are the most common tree pests in the Swiss forest and what about invasive species?
Peter: In my area, the bark beetle is the worst pest. With wood or Christmas trees that are imported into Switzerland, invasive pests are also increasingly coming to us, which we did not know before.
What measures does a forester use to respond against tree pests? Can an infested Tree be saved?
Peter: You can't save a bark beetle-infested Tree . However, you can fight the spread of the beetle by cutting down the infested Tree immediately and transporting it out of the forest. If this is not possible, you can also debark the Tree so that the larvae dry out.
What would you like to pass on to people who don't know much about your profession?
Peter: I recommend getting informed before letting out hurtful criticism about forest management. Forestry staff think in very long cycles. Often the forest does not look nice to the average citizen after an intervention. Only after a few years do the positive effects become apparent.
Peter Piller is 36 years old and comes from Plaffeien (FR). He works in the forest district of Rüschegg- Nord (BE), where he manages a forestry operation with eight employees. Peter remembers the two close encounters with the lynx as one of the most beautiful moments in his job. "A beautiful animal", he adds.
We at NIKIN would like to thank Peter Piller once again for his openness.
The profession of forester is indispensable for the functioning of the forest ecosystem, whereby the goal of the diverse tasks always lies in sustainability. Be it in the use of native wood or in the establishment of a permanent forest. Therefore, we would like to see more appreciation and gratitude shown to the professional group of foresters. After all, we all benefit from our native forest.
