Landscaping |

The reflection of nature and its interplay with people, including its historical use, is vital. Preservation, maintenance and development of the entire site are essential objectives, as is the recreational value for the people living in the surrounding area. The areas above the manor are of special importance. To make it possible to experience the natural beauty, some measures for the future are being considered.  For example, some old walking trails could be restored or a new nature trail could be created where biotopes (protected areas with a specific flora and fauna) are designated.

More quality for visitors

A master plan for conservation of the open areas is presently being prepared. It includes all of the prominent building activities that are significant for the landscape and are sound for nature preservation and prepared for approval.
For example, it is planned that the existing biotopes on the Gut Hochreute land will be re-valued and cross-linked in the course of replacement and compensation. Ecological compensation areas (improved parts of the landscape) are planned which will also offer a better experience for visitors. Among other things is the intention to:

• Restore the flowing waters by re-establishing stream sections that are presently piped.

• Cultivate areas of nitrogen-poor grassland.

• Plant woody plants such as hedges, groves, and lines of trees.

Special attention is being paid to the flow of life-giving water therefore lengths of piped streams will be restored. The water will be retained in the earth and transported slowly and gently down the hill. This is closely related to the replanting of the forest areas – which are presently primarily stands of very old, shallow rooted spruce trees – into a stepped, mixed leafy alpine forest, with deeper rooting which will improve the water holding capacity as well as the stability of the slope. This process has already begun, however it is a long-term goal to be completed in approximately 30 years. It shall be achieved by thinning. It will avoid clear-cutting as much as possible. Some clear cuts– for example, removing some over-aged spruces below the villa because of beetle infestation or because they threatened to fall on the road or railway tracks– were necessary. Therefore more than 10,000 new trees have already been planted on the land.