La Salle Forest

The La Salle forest is nestled in Northeastern France in the Vosges.
It is divided into several parcels, including a cutting area for replanting and charming deciduous groves. The forest is also crossed by a hiking trail. A small stream winds through the forest, creating a habitat rich in biodiversity. You'll also find the remains of an old forge.

EcoTree took over management of the forest in October 2023. During the six months leading up to our takeover, the spruce trees, which were once the predominant species, were affected by the proliferation of bark beetles. The previous owners undertook a clear-cut of the affected trees to counter the invasion in August 2023. However, they carefully preserved the unaffected spruces and a few deciduous groves.

As early as February 2023, our foresters issued directives to sawyers in anticipation of the future cutting of contaminated spruces. They made sure to leave snag trees and dead wood was preserved on the ground, as it was already in a state of decomposition, which allow the various fauna species to continue to thrive. In June 2023, FORESTYS (advisers on silviculture forestry), with the expertise of Georges Pottecher, advised our teams on the future planting of a variety of species, both coniferous and deciduous, planned for 2024.

Our teams carried out an in-depth inventory to analyse the biodiversity of the entire area. This inventory revealed numerous bat species, such as the Western barbastelle, Northern bat, Serotine bat, Common Pipistrelle, Leisler's Bat, Nathusius' Pipistrelle, Long-fingered Bat, Kuhl's Pipistrelle, Whiskered Bat, Greater Mouse-Eared Bat, Bechstein's Bat, Alchatoe bat, Savi's pipistrelle, Grey Long-Eared Bat, Brandt's Bat and Common Bent-Wing Bat.

Our teams have also established a buffer zone between the riparian forest and the forest stand. Work is underway to restore the riparian forest.

Other actions need to be evaluated and developed to support the enrichment of species diversity.