Der Zuger Wald und sein Umfeld | Situation of the forest in Canton Zug

Canton of Zug, the smallest of Switzerland's «undivided» cantons,is situated between the central plain and the pre-alpine region. With a population of 106,000 it is densely inhabited. The geological foundations comprise subalpine and central plain sedimentary layers, often covered with moraine. The Canton's topography, rates of precipitation, soil composition,average temperatures and expositions are very varied. This is why the forests in Canton Zug contain many different species of trees. In the wake of clearing, over-exploitation and intensive grazing in the 19th century the boundaries of the forests were driven back and they provided fewer supplies. Owing to the afforestation of large areas and careful exploitation policies,forest now covers 6,300 ha. The result is the existence of forests rich in growth and supplies, 71% of which are under public ownership. Canton Zug is a dynamic economic region with an over-average, almost explosive, development. Many forests are managed in accordance with criteria that support sustainable management–also for reasons of a rational management of the forest. A high intensity of exploitation is aimed for, whereby at least the increment of wood is harvested.