Långtjärnsberget, Naturreservat

Långtjärnsberget Nature Reserve is an area with a wilderness feel. The highest peaks reach almost 450 meters above sea level. Up on Långtjärnsberget, you have a fantastic view of the forests, heights and lakes of northern Hälsingland. The area covers 517 hectares of mountains and forest and is located 17 kilometers north of Ljusdal. There are no prepared trails here and at times it can be difficult to get around in the hilly and blocky terrain. The highest natural values are in the western part of the nature reserve, where you can find pine trees that are up to 400 years old. There are also plenty of dry tree trunks and trees with traces of the forest fires that the mountain has suffered.

The recurring fires have made the pine forest varied with trees of different ages and sizes. Here and there, you can also see fire sounds and burnt stumps.

Fire blight is damage that trees can get when the forest burns, but which then heals itself. Older pines are the most likely to have fire blight. They have thick bark and a high crown, which means they often survive a forest fire.

In the wetter parts of the forest, where the fire has not gained momentum, older spruce forests grow with elements of birch, aspen, willow and other deciduous trees.

Valuable for many

Capercaillie, three-toed woodpecker and many other birds nest in the reserve. Rare insects also live here, including the relict beetle, which needs old sunlit pines. Uncommon lichens such as branch lichen and small sooty lichen have been found in the wetter parts of the reserve. Pine tick and creamy spurge are two examples of fungi that show that the forest has been untouched for a long time.

The three-toed woodpecker likes old spruce forests. After a forest fire, it quickly comes to the fire area to look for beetles and beetle larvae in dead or dying trees.

Capercaillie, our largest wild fowl, nests in the old-growth forest of Långtjärnsberget. The female lays 6-9 eggs, but usually only a few of the chicks become adults.

Orchids and wood fungi

Coral root is a small, delicate orchid that lacks chlorophyll. It blooms in May-June with yellowish, slightly drooping flowers that sit in a sparse cluster at the top of the stem. Coralroot grows in marshes, swamps and other damp areas.

It is mainly found in older forests with plenty of dead wood.

It can grow on all types of trees, but is most common on decaying pine logs.