Tree sponsorship

The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU offers talented young people the unique opportunity to concentrate on their studies or engage in volunteer work without financial worries. To thank sponsors for their support and emphasize the idea of sustainability, LMU has been awarding tree sponsorships in the university forest since 2023. Just as planting a tree is an investment in the future, so too is the funding provided by the Deutschlandstipendium. The seedlings are planted personally by the sponsors or, on their behalf, by the scholarship recipients.

Forest visit 2025

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New tree sponsorships awarded to supporters of the Deutschlandstipendium at LMU

It is still early in the morning, and the LMU forest near Landshut is still shrouded in thick fog. Only the birds are already awake, trying to lure spring with their singing. Suddenly, branches crack on the ground and loud hammering pierces the forest. First sporadically, then more and more frequently. Added to this is the humming of cordless screwdrivers and voices. It is the sponsors of the Deutschlandstipendium at LMU who, together with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Oliver Jahraus, are planting trees. By the end of the day, there will be around 80 seedlings. Next to each tree, a small peg is driven into the ground, to which a plaque bearing the name of the supporter is attached. The tree sponsorship is a gift in recognition of their commitment. A seedling is an investment in the future – just like the Deutschlandstipendium. Those who decide to take on a scholarship are thus not only socially committed, but also ecologically committed.

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“We wanted to give you something that no one else can give you,” Jahraus says to the sponsors. This is possible because LMU is not only a state university, but also a corporation. This means that it also owns forest land. “Thank you for supporting the program and thereby making an enormously important contribution to the students,” he continues. Every student has the best prerequisites for studying—but their living conditions are not always ideal. “A scholarship makes the situation easier,” emphasizes the vice president. The support makes the university more humane and also has a positive impact on society as a whole. In his view, the award ceremonies are primarily about institutionalizing the scholarship. The visit to the forest is therefore not just another event, but a sign of appreciation for the sponsors. The tree planting campaign took place for the third time this year. For Jahraus, this is the beginning of a tradition that is to be continued annually.

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All trees planted last year have survived

During the forest hike, the approximately three dozen participants also pass last year's planting area. “Here you can say hello to your tree,” says Christoph Dimke from the forestry department of the LMU University Forestry Enterprise, laughing. All the seedlings survived last year and have already grown significantly. Because it has been so warm in recent weeks, the first ones are already budding. Those who were already there in 2024 look for “their” oak, beech, coastal fir, silver fir, larch, or Douglas fir. “It's fascinating how fast everything grows,” says one participant in amazement. “Just like children,” adds another. The first few years are crucial in determining whether the young trees will thrive, says Dimke. “Just like in real life.” This is another parallel to the Deutschlandstipendium, which shows how important early support at the beginning of a student's studies is, as it has a lifelong impact.

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While deer leap around nearby, Professor Thomas Knoke, manager and operations director of LMU's university forestry operation, explains why the world's forests are so important. “We need to understand forestry in an international context,” he emphasizes. Of course, the LMU forest is not destroyed when a tree is felled in Ecuador. “But we mustn't forget that one cubic meter of wood binds one ton of CO₂ – which then enters the atmosphere.” Every year, ten million hectares of tropical forest are lost, which is as much as currently grows in Germany. The main reason for deforestation is animal husbandry, i.e., meat consumption. Added to this is ecological damage caused by extreme natural disasters. “If we want to avoid this, we must actively protect the climate by improving forest management,” Knoke emphasizes. Otherwise, CO₂ emissions and economic damage will continue to rise rapidly.

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The LMU forest reflects global changes

In the past, timber sales from the area donated by Duke Ludwig IX of Bavaria-Landshut (1417–1479) were used to finance professors' salaries – there were no female professors at that time. Today, the global market influences the constantly changing price of timber. “A lot is now imported from abroad,” reports Dimke. At the same time, a lot is exported, for example to Austria. Climate change is also causing an increase in bark beetle infestation. The infested trees then have to be felled to prevent further spread. He does not agree with the widespread opinion that the forest should simply be left to its own devices. “Then the bark beetle will spread even further and we will have to import even more wood – at the expense of natural ecosystems.” How the forest can be better protected and made more resilient is the subject of one of the research projects in the LMU forest.

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On the way back from the planting area, Dimke shares his expertise with the group of visitors during the hike. For example, the hollows along the forest paths were not caused by bombs, but by the historic construction of roads for horse-drawn carriages. At one point, he points out a “wild boar bathtub,” at another, he reads the age of the gnarled oak trees and points out a jay. This bird warns other animals of danger and is therefore also called the “guardian of the forest.” “It's really cool to work outside in the fresh air all day,” remarks one participant. At that moment, it starts to rain, and most of the participants are glad to be able to return to Munich in the LMU minivans. But Dimke is not bothered by the rain. “This isn't bad weather,” he calls after the tree sponsors. “It's perfect tree-growing weather.”

The LMU University Forest

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GPS coordinates of the Deutschlandstipendium planting area 2023

GPS coordinates of the Deutschlandstipendium planting area 2024

GPS coordinates of the Deutschlandstipendium planting area 2025

Forstverwaltung Universität München (LMU)
Unterlippach 1
84095 Furth/Landshut

Support students with the Deutschlandstipendium

The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU is supported by companies, foundations, and private individuals. Your tax-deductible donation of €150 per month will be matched by the German government and will be paid to the scholarship recipients in full. This allows young people to focus on the future of our society without worrying about money, even in times of crisis like these.