Logging will resume in November in the municipal forest of the city of Chemnitz. As the bark beetle infestation in the spruce stands has declined and the forest areas further away from the city centre have already been thinned in recent years, the 2026/2027 season will focus primarily on the deciduous woodland areas of Zeisigwald and Ebersdorfer Wald, as well as a larger copse in Euba. In particular, measures deemed to be urgent will be carried out.
Traffic safety measures are also required along property boundaries and public thoroughfares, as many old beech, ash and other deciduous trees have poor crown conditions and a high proportion of deadwood, or are completely dead. This applies, amongst other places, to the Wasserwerkspark, the fish farm site, the Zwönitztalweg in Erfenschlag, the Glösaer Wald and the Hoppberg in Oberrabenstein.
The majority of the felling is carried out mechanically by contracted Saxon forestry companies, which are instructed and supervised by the district forester.
Timber harvesting and traffic safety measures begin in the municipal forest
Firewood vouchers can be purchased from the district forester – Public guided tour of the forest on 13 November at 3 pm
Warning – Danger to life
The relevant woodland areas and forest tracks will be closed whilst work is in progress! There is a risk to life! All visitors to the forest should be aware that, for safety reasons, woodland areas and forest paths are temporarily closed to the public whilst logging and timber processing are taking place (in accordance with Section 11(3) of the Saxon Forest Act). Barriers must be observed and must not be tampered with. Furthermore, timber piles must not be walked on or climbed. Logs could start rolling, leading to serious accidents. Children should be specifically warned about this.
The raw timber is processed into various grades and temporarily stored along forest tracks accessible to lorries. This may cause disruption to the forest tracks. Once the timber has been removed, the tracks will be repaired. This depends on the weather and, based on experience, will not be completed for approximately five months.
Purchasing firewood vouchers and ordering firewood from the district forester
Residents who wish to use wood as a renewable fuel have until February 2027 to purchase a firewood permit in person from district forester Jörg Weisbrich. Appointments can be made by telephone on 01511-4035817. The firewood permit, which is valid for one week and must be carried whilst collecting wood, is issued for a minimum quantity of 3 cubic metres. One cubic metre costs 25 euros.
To cut the wood in the forest using a chainsaw, you must hold a chainsaw licence and wear cut-resistant clothing.
Anyone wishing to purchase two-metre-long, ready-to-collect firewood (minimum quantity 5 cubic metres) should register by telephone on 0371 4886728 or by email at kommunalwald(at)stadt-chemnitz.de. Home delivery is also available for orders of 10 cubic metres or more.
For further information or enquiries regarding current forestry work in Chemnitz’s municipal woodlands, please contact the Parks and Green Spaces Department by email at kommunalwald(at)stadt-chemnitz.de.
Public guided tour of the forest on 13 November at 3 pm
On Friday 13 November at 3.00 pm, anyone interested is invited to a public guided walk through the woodland. The meeting point is on the edge of the Zeisigwald, at the former Heideschänke (address: An der Heideschänke 5, see map).
During the tour, the planned measures and the forest management plan for the City of Chemnitz’s municipal forest will be explained. The Head of the Parks and Forestry Department, Andreas Streich, and the district forester, Jörg Weisbrich, will be on hand to answer any questions.