![]() Like most of the country, the region was under the rule of the Turkish empire for 500 years, during which huge areas were cut and used. ![]() They focus their plantings within headwater zones for erosion control in response to flash flood events in previous years. Since 2008, they’ve planted out 250 hectares in primarily Robinia, Quercus, Fraxinus, Aesculus (horse chestnut), Pinus nigra, and Acer pseudoplatanus, all of which will be managed as high forest. In this region they afforest (plant) about 30 hectares each year, again typically in gaps within forested lands. They cut about 30,000 m3 annually, 20,000 in firewood which is about 50/50 oak and beech, and 10,000 m3 worth of beech logs for lumber. This is relatively rare though as most private forests average about four hectares in size. If private landowner has more than 100 ha, they must develop a management plan. In addition to their development and administration of management plans for state forests, they assist private owners to manage planning, marketing, and felling operations. About 11,000 of these hectares are high forest, 22,000 coppice and 8000 shrubland. Covering a total of 40,000 ha (36,000 state owned, 4000 private), their regional forests are divided into 7 units. Though he spoke no English, I learned a fair bit about the context of the forests in this part of Macedonia. He was a very eager man, lots of energy and enthusiasm - and for some strange reason, he seemed to take a liking to me. We made small talk while someone fixed us coffee and the director took a few minutes to personalize leather-bound notebooks as a gift for each of us to remind us of our visit. The branch office here was considerably more modest than that of Strumitca - the director only had 3 phones strewn about his desk. Today I anticipated the routine, so I felt much more prepared when we reached the Forest Enterprise Branch office for the Radovish district to meet with the regional director. ![]() We awoke to a clear sunny day (me, an hour early yet again - forgot about the time change) and enjoyed a morning coffee before packing up and saying goodbye to our host. Thursday March 10 - Mark in Radovish, Macedonia ![]()
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