New Trees for LMU’s University Forest

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Since 2023, LMU has invited donors to the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship programme and scholarship recipients to its university forest each year. The tree sponsorships are a way of thanking donors for their commitment: each tree is accompanied by a certificate and a name plaque. At the fourth event, Christoph Dimke, a forestry officer in LMU’s university forest, first guided the group to the planting sites from previous years.

There was encouraging news: all the trees planted in 2025 had survived the dry summer. Some had grown from 50 centimetres to as much as one metre in height. Wire fencing protects the young trees from browsing damage by deer. Covering approximately 470 hectares, the university forest near Landshut has belonged to LMU since 1802. In the past, income from the forest helped finance the University; today, alongside commercial forestry, it also serves as a site for research and teaching.

Climate change poses challenges for forest management

During the tour, Dimke explained how the exceptionally hot and dry summer of 2026 had affected the forest. In parts of Bavaria, summer temperatures were up to 3.9°C above the long-term average, while precipitation was approximately one-third below average. “Grand firs and silver firs, in particular, have suffered badly,” Dimke reported. He also suspects that a Douglas fir more than 50 metres tall may be infected with honey fungus.

To make the forest more resilient, Dimke and his team are focusing on a diversity of tree species and natural regeneration. Young trees growing beneath the canopy of older trees can eventually take their place following storms or pest infestations. Species diversity is therefore an important component of sustainable forest development.

LMU also investigates how forests respond to climate change and different management practices. Professor Ralf Ludwig, a geographer and LMU’s Chief Sustainability Officer, introduced the group to an experimental site belonging to the LabForest research project. Researchers compare how forests recover from storms, drought and pest infestations under different management approaches. Monitoring stations and drones provide the necessary data. Occasionally, curious wild boar disrupt the research by digging up measuring equipment.

The forest also serves as an outdoor learning environment. As part of the new KLICKS teaching project, advanced students are trained as forest educators who subsequently pass on their knowledge to students in earlier semesters. Dimke summed up the underlying approach during the tour: “Knowledge comes from hands-on experience.”

A special thank-you to donors

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After the tour and a picnic lunch in the forest, participants planted new trees at a designated site. For the first time, the planting event took place in autumn, which can offer more favourable conditions for young trees in view of increasingly dry spring seasons.

In addition to the oaks, European beeches, grand firs, silver firs, larches and Douglas firs planted in previous years, sweet chestnuts were introduced this time. Dimke had selected them in recognition of the Italian heritage of LMU Vice-President Francesca Biagini. He had also arranged for a giant sequoia to be planted in honour of Ludwig, who was attending the event for the first time. Tree sponsorships are established exclusively in gaps and areas of the forest that have suffered damage.

Participants loosened the soil, planted the young trees and installed their name plaques. Biagini emphasised that the Deutschlandstipendium provides students not only with financial support but also with opportunities to build professional networks and benefit from mentoring. The idea of growth whose impact only becomes apparent over time connects the scholarship programme with the new tree sponsorships. To illustrate this, Biagini quoted a saying from her father: “A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest.”

The Deutschlandstipendium at LMU

The Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship) supports high-achieving and committed students across all disciplines with €300 per month. Funding is provided in equal shares by private donors – including companies, foundations and individuals – and the German federal government, each contributing €150. Selection criteria include academic achievement, community engagement and particular personal or family circumstances. The scholarship is awarded irrespective of income and does not affect entitlement to BAföG (German student financial assistance). It is generally awarded for one year and may be renewed. The programme also offers opportunities for students and donors to connect.

Further information: Deutschlandstipendium at LMU