WOODLANDS

The original forest trees of the Lobau are those such as the silver-leaf poplar, black poplar and willow that can withstand regular flooding. These areas are now merged with wooded areas that have colonised previously dry gravel banks and former marshy backwaters. Such woodlands are typically either damp or dry and the types of flowers found growing there are correspondingly varied. Alleys of chestnuts were planted by the imperial family who used the area for hunting until the early 1900’s.

The forest management of the Lobau National Park authorities are now trying in some areas to remove non-native species of trees and replace them with more typical native ones.

All the forest trees in the Lobau are deciduous, losing their leaves in winter. In spring a large number of early flowering plants are able to blossom on the sunny forest floor but later in the year only shade -tolerant plants can thrive.