Onslunda sten, Naturreservat

Onslunda stone is located on the old outskirts of Onslunda village, where they used to have common grazing land. Today, the reserve is forested with mainly beech forest. The spread of multi-stemmed, gnarled beech is unparalleled in Sweden and constitutes a living cultural monument, a remnant of the forest type that previously characterized large parts of central Skåne.

Unique cultural forest

The beech forest at Onslunda sten is more clearly than most other forests a cultural product characterized by historical management. The reserve contains a multi-stemmed deciduous forest, Sweden's largest, which is dominated by beech and hornbeam and which is the result of age-old forest management. The characteristic appearance of the forest has probably arisen as a result of grazing and wood and timber harvesting. The villagers regularly but sparingly cut down tree trunks and then let the stumps left behind grow new shoots. In this way, the trees developed their multi-stemmed appearance over time. Coppicing was common in central Skåne until the middle of the 19th century and was mainly a source of small timber.

During the 20th century, small parts of the forest in Onslunda sten have been replaced by spruce and larch plantations. There is also a species-rich swamp forest in the reserve.

Skåne's largest key biotope

The trunks in the forest may give the impression of being small and young, but they usually stand on plinths or stumps that are much older. The presence of old wood, combined with the long forest continuity, has laid the foundation for the high biological values of the reserve. A total of 101 hectares in the area have been classified as a key biotope, which means that almost the entire reserve is part of what is probably Skåne's largest key biotope. In the forest, 23 signal species and 4 red-listed lichens have been found. Beech spring lichen, beech edge lichen and pink lichen, all of which are associated with older beech trees, occur in the reserve. Birds in the area include the stone curlew, nutcracker, wood pigeon and lesser spotted woodpecker. Wild boar, red deer and elk occur in the reserve.

Outdoor life

The area currently has no marked trails for hiking. But there are a few forest roads through the area that can be used for walking. Remember to take your trash home.

In English

Welcome to Onslunda stone Nature Reserve

The forest in Onslunda is full of gnarled, multi-stemmed beeches; a living memory of an
ancient management method called coppicing.

Onslunda was once one of the largest villages in Skåne, and the nature reserve is located on land that was part of the common outfield. This was used for grazing, and villagers also collected firewood and timber here. In autumn, pigs foraged beneath the beech canopies.

By the end of the 18th century, most large trees had been felled and the forest was dominated by thick stands of young trees. Until the early 20th century, villagers regularly cut down the trees, promoting the growth of new shoots from the remaining stumps.
This method of coppicing is unique for southern Skåne, but is also found in mainland Europe.

When coppicing stopped, the multi-stemmed trees grew into the beautiful and fascinating forest we see today.

Onslunda sten is a valuable environment for many rare lichens linked to beech forests, for example the crustose lichen Pyrenula nitida, the rim lichen Lecanora glabrata and the dotted lichen Bacidia rosella. There is also a species-rich alder swamp forest in the reserve.

In the eastern part of the reserve you can see pits where fluorspar was mined until the mid-1950s. The mineral was used in aluminum production.

Welcome to walk among the gnarly trees. There are no paths in the reserve, but easy walking is provided on forest roads and among the trees.

Regulations

Within Onslunda sten Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig, remove, bore, paint or in any other way damage soil formations, stone walls, boulders, flat rocks or other natural objects or cultural remains,
• remove wood or damage trees, shrubs or dead wood,
• dig up plants or pick plants for commercial purposes,
• collect mosses, lichens or wood-living fungi,
• deliberately disturb wildlife or livestock,
• bring unleashed dogs,
• park caravans, campers, or similar,
• drive motorized vehicles off public or private roads,
• light fires,
• raise any form of construction or erect objects alien to the reserve,
• put up boards, signs, posters, paper strips, or similar, or make inscriptions,
• introduce species of flora or fauna.

Furthermore, without written permission from the County Administrative Board it is forbidden to:

• organize competitions or camping activities,
• catch insects, spiders, gastropods or other invertebrate animals other than by netting, hand picking or other selective method with subsequent reintroduction within the nature reserve. The requirement for reintroduction does not apply to individual voucher specimens of each species on condition that the record is logged in the reporting system Artportalen and that the collection is not contrary to the species protection regulations.