Sustainable Forestry
Forestry Concept: Sustainable Forestry
Our concept is straight-forward yet sophisticated: we mirror the growing patterns of natural forests to reproduce near-natural forests on degraded grazing lands. Depending on the location, we choose from a mix of 20 different (mostly local) tree species. Many of these species are listed as endangered.
Through the 40 different combinations between slow and fast growing trees, we can create the necessary shade in accordance to the respective plot. The natural forming forest climate supports the growth of valuable tropical forest species such as the tonca tree. Continuous profits are secured through a selective harvest of various species. This selected harvest guarantees a certain level of forest density and coverage at all times – it is indeed a cultivated and permanently existing forest.
PERMANENTLY EXISTING FOREST AND SELECTIVE HARVESTING
Nature dictates how we manage in and with it.
We follow this with our management concept, because a permanently existing forest means constant forest cover.
We guarantee this through selective and careful (low-impact) harvesting and continuous replanting of new tree seedlings – a system with a future!
Forestry Concept: Sustainable Forestry
Our concept is straight-forward yet sophisticated: we mirror the growing patterns of natural forests to reproduce near-natural forests on degraded grazing lands. Depending on the location, we choose from a mix of 20 different (mostly local) tree species. Many of these species are listed as endangered.
Through the 40 different combinations between slow and fast growing trees, we can create the necessary shade in accordance to the respective plot. The natural forming forest climate supports the growth of valuable tropical forest species such as the tonca tree. Continuous profits are secured through a selective harvest of various species. This selected harvest guarantees a certain level of forest density and coverage at all times – it is indeed a cultivated and permanently existing forest.
DAUERHAFT BESTEHENDER WALD UND SELEKTIVE ERNTE Nature dictates how we manage in and with it.
We follow this with our management concept, because a permanently existing forest means constant forest cover.
We guarantee this through selective and careful (low-impact) harvesting and continuous replanting of new tree seedlings – a system with a future!
The main cast consists of our most important actors: the trees
Almendro
Botarrama
Caoba
Cebo
Cedro
Cedro Maria
Cortesa
Fruta Dorada
Guapinol
Lauriel
Manú
Pilón
Roble Coral
Roble Savana
Surá
Teak
Nature acts as our main risk manager
Long droughts, extensive rainfall and even hurricanes are common consequences of climate change. Using near natural systems has proven to be an effective method in reducing the risks and effects of these climate catastrophes: Our mixed forest concept creates a tropical forest climate, which has been shown to store large amounts of water in the soil. This in turn counteracts damage caused by dry periods and soil erosion due to heavy rainfall. Did you know that our rainforests can even function as buffers against hurricanes?
Thanks to our concept, our forest consists of trees with different growth heights that offer a hurricane almost no attack surface. The hurricane thus “winds” through the trees rather than uprooting them…
SUSTAINABLE SOIL CULTIVATION FOR OUR STABLE ECOSYSTEM
A system is only as healthy as the soil its roots are in. Here, too, our forestry concept achieves tremendous things: we intervene as little as possible in the growing ecosystem, use cattle to keep back damage and soil compaction to a minimum, and leave forest residues on the areas: Ideal conditions for a healthy humus layer and for nutrient-rich, fertile soil.
Nature acts as our main risk manager
Long droughts, extensive rainfall and even hurricanes are common consequences of climate change. Using near natural systems has proven to be an effective method in reducing the risks and effects of these climate catastrophes: Our mixed forest concept creates a tropical forest climate, which has been shown to store large amounts of water in the soil. This in turn counteracts damage caused by dry periods and soil erosion due to heavy rainfall. Did you know that our rainforests can even function as buffers against hurricanes?
Thanks to our concept, our forest consists of trees with different growth heights that offer a hurricane almost no attack surface. The hurricane thus “winds” through the trees rather than uprooting them…
SUSTAINABLE SOIL CULTIVATION FOR OUR STABLE ECOSYSTEM
A system is only as healthy as the soil its roots are in. Here, too, our forestry concept achieves tremendous things: we intervene as little as possible in the growing ecosystem, use cattle to keep back damage and soil compaction to a minimum, and leave forest residues on the areas: Ideal conditions for a healthy humus layer and for nutrient-rich, fertile soil.
Our Fincas
San Rafael
When we first bought our first Finca, San Rafael, in 2007, it was in saddening conditions. In the 70s, the previous owner cut down most of the natural forest growing on his property. He did it, so to extend the grazing area for his dairy cattle farm to all 216ha he owned. The overall loser in this process was the environment. We decided to do what we do best – give back live to the land and reforest it. With time, biodiversity returned, as we established Bauminvest’s very first mixed forest. And even today, we continue what we started on San Rafael. We actively turn degraded pastures into rich forests.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “San Carlos”
Size: 216ha
Subdivision: 2 sites, San Rafael 1 and 2
Reforestation(s): 2007 – 2012
Tree species: Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Roble Savana, Pilon, Teak, Mahogany, Acacia, Corteza
La Virgen
That’s the kind of neighbour you want to have: La Virgen is in the direct vicinity of the famous Braulio Carrillo National Park. Where until the 1950s there was still dense primary tropical forest, countless hectares of forest were cleared on La Virgen in the course of agricultural expansion. The result: cattle with fences instead of trees with bark. BaumInvest took on the degraded pastureland: From 2010 onwards, we reforested with mixed forest, and by now a large part of the 760-hectare area is forested.
Apart from the immediate proximity to the national park, La Virgen is characterised by something else: The finca, in the middle of the Sarapiqui region, is known for its white-water rivers on which rafting tours are offered. Here, the jungle experience is pure. And our forest helps to maintain this, as a protection for water sources and a constant rain provider.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Heredia”; district “Sarapiqui”
Size: 760ha
Subdivision: 14 smaller adjacent fincas, connecting across the entire region
Reforestation(s): 2009 -2011
Tree species: Botarama, Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Corteza, Corteza Amarilla, Roble Savana, Cocobolo, Caobill, Pilon, Teak, Cedro Maria
Las Delicias
Las Delicias is one of our most northern project sites. It is adjacent to the district of Aguas Claras, which is known for its numerous rivers. Before we acquired the 249 hectares in 2010, the land was used to raise cattle and grow rice and pulses. Citrus fruits and palm hearts were also planted there. We reforested the neglected areas with indigenous tree species, such as cebo or guapinol. By now, the soil has recovered thanks to a healthy nutrient cycle.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Upala”
Size: 249ha
Subdivision: One unit
Reforestation(s): 2011 -2012
Tree species: Cebo, Cedro Maria, Guapinol, Teak, Almendro, Roble Coral, Caobilla, Cocobolo, Laurel, Pilón, Caoba, Manú
El Porvenir
Botarrama, Guapinol, Laurel: These three tree species we often used in the reforestation of El Porvenir. The 363 hectares are located in the northwest of Costa Rica, near the canton of Upala, which is known for its volcanoes and lagoons. In 2013, we took over the area of El Porvenir, where only a few trees remained from a once magnificent tropical forest. Citrus fruits were cultivated there for a long time, and cattle and dairy farming were practised. Accordingly, the land was barren and overgrazed when we acquired it – and we started to restore the forest there.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “Upala”
Size: 363ha
Subdivision: Finca Tajo, Finca Pina, Finca Montoya, Finca Chicho, Finca Chapulina, Finca Chandillo, Finca Canal
Reforestation(s): 2013
Tree species: Botarrama, Guapinol, Almendro, Teak, Cebo, Pilón, Caoba, Cedro Amargo, Laurel
El Concho
For years, our El Concho site lived a dreary life in monocultures: the landowner before our time had mainly relied on teak and acacia without mixing in other tree species! The area, not far from our Finca La Virgen, is surrounded by pineapple cultivation and sugar cane. Since the purchase of the finca in 2015, we have restored it bit by bit to its original state through near-natural reforestation with mixed forest – a lush forest, as a habitat for animals and plants.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “San Carlos”
Size: 500ha
Subdivision: Concho 1 and Concho 2
Reforestation(s): 2015 – 2017
Tree species: Botarrama, Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Corteza, Corteza Amarilla, Roble Sabana, Cocobolo, Caobilla, Pilon, Teak, Cedro Amargo
Our Fincas
San Rafael
When we first bought our first Finca, San Rafael, in 2007, it was in saddening conditions. In the 70s, the previous owner cut down most of the natural forest growing on his property. He did it, so to extend the grazing area for his dairy cattle farm to all 216ha he owned. The overall loser in this process was the environment. We decided to do what we do best – give back live to the land and reforest it. With time, biodiversity returned, as we established Bauminvest’s very first mixed forest. And even today, we continue what we started on San Rafael. We actively turn degraded pastures into rich forests.
FAST FACTS
Location: Region “Alujuela”; canton “San Carlos”
Size: 216ha
Subdivision: 2 sites, San Rafael 1 and 2
Reforestation(s): 2007 – 2012
Tree species: Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Roble Savana, Pilon, Teak, Mahogany, Acacia, Corteza
La Virgen
That’s the kind of neighbour you want to have: La Virgen is in the direct vicinity of the famous Braulio Carrillo National Park. Where until the 1950s there was still dense primary tropical forest, countless hectares of forest were cleared on La Virgen in the course of agricultural expansion. The result: cattle with fences instead of trees with bark. BaumInvest took on the degraded pastureland: From 2010 onwards, we reforested with mixed forest, and by now a large part of the 760-hectare area is forested.
Apart from the immediate proximity to the national park, La Virgen is characterised by something else: The finca, in the middle of the Sarapiqui region, is known for its white-water rivers on which rafting tours are offered. Here, the jungle experience is pure. And our forest helps to maintain this, as a protection for water sources and a constant rain provider.
Fakten
Standort: Region Heredia, Distrikt Sarapiqui
Gesamtgröße: 760 Hektar
Unterteilte Fincas: 14 kleine Fincas, die sich in dem gesamten Gebiet aneinanderschließen
Aufforstungsarbeiten: 2009-2011
Baumarten: Botarama, Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Corteza, Corteza amarilla, Roble savana, Cocobolo, Caobill, Pilon, Teak, Cedro maria
Las Delicias
Las Delicias is one of our most northern project sites. It is adjacent to the district of Aguas Claras, which is known for its numerous rivers. Before we acquired the 249 hectares in 2010, the land was used to raise cattle and grow rice and pulses. Citrus fruits and palm hearts were also planted there. We reforested the neglected areas with indigenous tree species, such as cebo or guapinol. By now, the soil has recovered thanks to a healthy nutrient cycle.
Fakten
Standort: Region Alajuela, Kanton Upala
Gesamtgröße: 249 Hektar
Unterteilte Fincas: eine Einheit
Aufforstungsarbeiten: 2011-2012
Baumarten: Cebo, Cedro Maria, Guapinol, Teak, Almendro, Roble Coral, Caobilla, Cocobolo, Laurel, Pilón, Caoba, Manú
El Porvenir
Botarrama, Guapinol, Laurel: These three tree species we often used in the reforestation of El Porvenir. The 363 hectares are located in the northwest of Costa Rica, near the canton of Upala, which is known for its volcanoes and lagoons. In 2013, we took over the area of El Porvenir, where only a few trees remained from a once magnificent tropical forest. Citrus fruits were cultivated there for a long time, and cattle and dairy farming were practised. Accordingly, the land was barren and overgrazed when we acquired it – and we started to restore the forest there.
Fakten
Standort: Region Alajuela, Kanton Upala
Gesamtgröße: 363 ha
Unterteilte Fincas: Finca Tajo, Finca Pina, Finca Montoya, Finca Chicho, Finca Chapulina, Finca Chandillo, Finca Canal
Aufforstungsarbeiten: 2013
Baumarten: Botarrama, Guapinol, Almendro, Teak, Cebo, Pilón, Caoba, Cedro Amargo, Laurel
El Concho
For years, the El Concho site lived a dreary life in monocultures: the landowner before our time had mainly relied on teak and acacia without mixing in other tree species! The area, not far from our Finca La Virgen, is surrounded by pineapple cultivation and sugar cane. Since the purchase of the finca in 2015, we have restored it bit by bit to its original state through near-natural reforestation with mixed forest – a lush forest, as a habitat for animals and plants.
Fakten
Standort: Region Alajuela, Kanton San Carlos
Gesamtgröße: 500 Hektar
Fincas: Concho 1 und Concho 2
Aufforstungsarbeiten: 2015-2017
Baumarten: Botarrama, Cebo, Almendro, Guapinol, Corteza, Corteza amarilla, Roble sabana, Cocobolo, Caobilla, Pilon, Teak, Cedro amargo