Once a military training ground, H\u00f6ltigbaum now flourishes as a vital nature reserve. H\u00f6ltigbaum stands as one of Hamburg’s largest havens for flora and fauna. This land was once D\u00e4nenheide. It belonged to Gut H\u00f6ltigbaum.
In 1937, the Wehrmacht seized the area. Hofbesitzer were dispossessed for military use. After the war, British forces used the shooting ranges. They were located in the southern part of H\u00f6ltigbaum.
The Bundeswehr took over in 1958. They built a munitions depot. H\u00f6ltigbaum became a central shooting range. It served all Hamburg-based units. The Bundeswehr announced its departure in 1995. A public debate ensued. What would become of H\u00f6ltigbaum?
The southwest section became a commercial zone. The remaining area gained protection. Exceptions included the Hamburg-Rahlstedt transmitter site. Also, there was a renovated former explosives site. Today, only traces of military installations remain. You can still see the tank road.
Since 1997, the Stormarn part is protected. It spans 286 hectares. Hamburg’s 270-hectare section gained protection a year later. Together, the reserve covers 558 hectares. Various organizations manage it. These include NABU and the Stiftung Natur im Norden. A large portion belongs to the Stiftung Naturschutz Schleswig-Holstein. Ecological importance and archaeological finds justify the protection.
Geologically, H\u00f6ltigbaum connects to Stellmoorer Tunneltal and Ahrensburger Tunneltal. These form a richly structured Weichsel Ice Age terminal moraine area. H\u00f6ltigbaum itself shows a typical ground moraine landscape.
The reserve’s two sections differ ecologically. Schleswig-Holstein boasts many field larks. The Hamburg area favors willow warblers due to denser vegetation. The open heathland supports tree pipits and red-backed shrikes. H\u00f6ltigbaum is also crucial for amphibians and insects. Fifty-eight plant and 78 animal species are protected.
Decades of military use shaped H\u00f6ltigbaum’s vegetation. Minimal fertilization and constant disruption favored pioneer plants. Dry, nutrient-poor grasslands now thrive on sandy hilltops. Savanna-like grasslands with red fescue dominate. Remnants of sand and loam heaths dot the landscape. The hedgerows feature oaks, ashes, and hawthorns. Wild apple trees are abundant.
Since 2000, most of H\u00f6ltigbaum is managed using year-round grazing. Galloway and Highland cattle plus Heidschnucken sheep roam freely.
Archaeological digs near Hagenweg uncovered an Iron Age rural settlement. It dates back to the 1st century BC. Discoveries included wells, ovens, and pottery. A unique six-handled ceramic vessel was found. It is unparalleled in North Germany.
From 1940, the military training area was a site of executions. At least 330 people were killed. Victims included soldiers and Wehrmacht members. They were often convicted of desertion. Also, prisoners of war and civilians were executed here. The last executions occurred on April 28, 1945.
A memorial plaque now stands at the execution site. It commemorates the persecuted soldiers.
The name H\u00f6ltigbaum comes from a toll station. From 1788 to 1837, it stood southeast of here. The Low German term for “Haltebaum” or barrier gave the area its name.
Since 2008, the “Haus der wilden Weiden” serves as an information center. It welcomes visitors to explore this unique habitat. As you wander through H\u00f6ltigbaum, remember its layered past. Military ground transitioned to protected haven. A place of death transformed into a celebration of life. H\u00f6ltigbaum persists. It is a testament to nature’s resilience.