Hämeenlinna clears trees from protected Hattelmalanha – to take care of biodiversity

A walnut that also shows green walnut. — Hazel bushes grow in the wild, especially in deciduous forests with nutrient-rich soil and sufficient sunshine.

A valuable grove of hazel bushes grows on the ridge. The nature conservation work is part of the Kunta-Helmi project funded by the Ministry of the Environment.

In Hämeenlinna, the Hattelmalanharju hazel bush will be managed this year. Hattelmalanharju is a site of both the national ridge protection programme and the grove protection programme. The ridge is also part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

The aim of the hazel grove management is to enhance the valuable natural environment of the area and maintain its biodiversity. Work will start on Wednesday 12 March.

According to Rantonen, maintenance work will continue later in the spring, when the bird nesting season is over. At that time, the ridge will be cleared of small trees.

The work is part of the Kunta-Helmi project funded by the Ministry of the Environment. The city of Hämeenlinna has received more than € 26,500 for the treatment of a walnut leaf.

A grove of hundreds of hazelnut bushes

Last summer, a plant species survey was conducted in Hattelmalanharju. Hetelmalanharju grow hundreds of walnuts, but there is a particularly abundance of leaf spruce, blue anemones and black berries in the entire area.

Lehto or näsiä is also growing relatively in the area. In the plant species survey, leaf was also found in the area.

The small bush has a lot of pink flowers. — The nightshade flowers in spring before the leaves start to break out. Its berries are highly poisonous.

Mika Rantonen, a forestry engineer, says that the last time the Hattelmalanharju was carried out about ten years ago. At that time, the target was the area below the viewing platform.