Maltesholm, Naturreservat

Adjacent to Maltesholm Castle is an old beech forest, which is partly protected as a nature reserve. The oldest beech trees are up to 250 years old. Plenty of dead wood favors the bugs. Over 1200 different species of beetles have been found in the Maltesholm area! The area is also one of the richest sites in the country for land snails and slugs. There are no marked trails.

Nutrient-rich soils

Maltesholm Nature Reserve is located between Linderödsåsen's bedrock outcrop and Kristianstadslätten's chalk area. The area's soils consist mainly of sandy moraines with a very high lime content - something that provides the conditions for both the rich flora and the rich wildlife. Many nutrient-demanding herbs and ferns thrive on the calcareous soil.

Impressive beetle fauna

The forest offers a rich and varied environment with streams, marshes and glades. Due to the long continuity of the forest, there is also plenty of old rough and dead wood, which benefits many beetle species. Over 1200 different species of beetles have been found in the Maltesholm area! The area is also one of the richest sites in the country for land snails and slugs.

Birds and mammals

Several woodpecker species thrive in the old forest, including the great spotted woodpecker, the skylark and the green wren. Woodpigeons nest in holes pecked out by woodpeckers. In years when there are large numbers of beechnuts, flocks of several thousand wintering chaffinches and chaffinches are often seen. Maltesholm is also home to large populations of wild boar and fallow deer.

Adam and Eve the giant beech trees

The reserve used to have two very large beech trees next to each other, known as Adam and Eve, and considered to be Sweden's largest beech trees. Eva was blown down as early as 1912, while Adam remained standing until 1967 when he reached an age of about 325 years. When measured in 1915, Adam was 44 meters tall, had a diameter of 169 cm and a circumference of 5.7 meters at chest height. To this day, a stump still stands after the huge beech in the area that has long been known as Lycke's lair.

Outdoor life

The driveway goes along the mighty and stone road Höge väg to the castle Maltesholm. There is parking here. The castle park is open to the public during the summer. The entrance to the reserve is just before the parking lot along Höge väg. You can enter the reserve via a steeply sloping path that has no marked trails. The ground slopes and in places there are wetlands and the marsh Helveteskärret. The Adam stump stands high up on the slope near the avenue towards the castle. Remember to take your rubbish home.

In English

Welcome to Maltesholm Nature Reserve

Along the stone road leading up to Maltesholm Castle grows and old beech forest that is partially protected as a nature reserve. The oldest parts of the reserve have probably been forested since the early 17th century. The oldest trees are nearly 250 years old. In a forest with such a long continuity you'll find a great diversity among fungi, lichens, beetles and birds.

The soil, rich in lime, provide conditions for both a rich flora and fauna. The old forest contains a lot of old, thick and dead wood which is beneficial for many insects. More than 1200 species of the beetle have been found in the area! Woodpeckers like the black woodpecker, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker are found in the reserve, foraging on the dead or dying trees. Wood pigeon, hawfinch, brambling and several species of thrushes are some of the other residents here.

It is not as common to see fallow deer or wild boar, but they are both present in large numbers in the Maltesholm area.

Regulations

The regulations which apply in the reserves are set out on the notices displayed at the entrances and in swedish on this web page.