Pennebo, Naturreservat

In the fields around Pennebo you can experience the wings of history. Even today, there are traces of how the land was previously farmed in the area. Meadows and pastures have now been replaced by valuable, varied deciduous forest. During a walk in the reserve, comparisons between then and now can provide new perspectives on the diversity of nature.

At Pennebo there are traces of earlier settlements. To the north-east are the ruins of the small farm Kerstinsbygget. Adjacent to the ruins is a well-preserved stone building that was probably used as a cellar. Even today, snowdrops grow around the ruins! The land around the farm was inägomark, that is, fenced land with fields and meadows. Stone fences and cairns have also been preserved. They are not only exciting ancient remains but also an important habitat for many organisms.

Wide-crowned oaks tell the story

The damp land to the west of the farm was known as the "sidwall meadows", which were cut to provide hay for the animals. At this time the trees were sparse. The younger trees that today partly make up the swamp forest began to grow when the mowing stopped. Outside the paddocks, the outfields took over and it was here that the animals were released for summer grazing. The wide-crowned oaks and ash trees that stand today in the deciduous forest tell of a historically more open environment. There are also multi-stemmed birches in the reserve, which are also a sign of earlier grazing and pruning.

Swamp forest with many plants

Several of the alders in the swamp forest in the north stand on so-called plinths. Pedestals are a reinforced root system that supports the trunk. Because they are formed over a long period of time, they are a sign of old, untouched forest. A lush field layer is found among plinths and water mirrors. Among the more low-growing plants is the spring-flowering goldenrod with its yellow-green bracts surrounding the yellow inflorescences. The rare small water plant is unisexual and occurs as both male and female plants.