Zimmermans backe, Naturreservat

Zimmermans backe is a small nature reserve on a high hill on the northern outskirts of Skurup. From the top, which rises about 25 meters above Skurup's community, there is a lovely view of the surroundings. At the top of the hill grows a magnificent German maple that has become something of a symbol of Skurup.

Majestic German maple

Zimmerman's hill is located on the outskirts of northern Skurup. The hill is mostly made up of glacial river material and at the top stands a mighty German maple, or sycamore maple as the tree is also called. The German maple is an introduced and cultivated species that can easily outcompete native tree species. Almost at the top of the hill are the remains of a former gravel pit that was once used as a gun range.

Who was Zimmerman?

The name Zimmerman's Hill comes from Joachim C.F. Zimmerman, a farmer who immigrated from Mecklenburg in Germany and farmed the land around the hill in the 19th century. However, the tree itself was planted by a farmer from the Svaneholm estate named Ekdahl, at Zimmerman's request.

Sweden's southernmost slalom competition

During winters with snow, Zimmerman's slope is a popular toboggan run, but for a period in the 1980s there was even a ski lift on the slope. In 1985, Sweden's southernmost slalom competition to date, a district championship in giant slalom, was held on the hill with the 200-meter long downhill run.