The "Siegerländer Hauberg" is considered a highly developed special form of coppice forestry, whose resource-conserving circular economy prevented the overexploitation of wood. It shaped the Siegerland landscape for centuries. On this forest area of the Fellinghausen forest cooperative, the old form of forestry lives on. Typical logging work is carried out in a seasonal rhythm using traditional methods and old tools. This includes the extraction of charcoal (formerly for iron ore processing) and tanning bark, as well as interim agricultural use (cultivation of winter rye and buckwheat, formerly also as pasture for livestock).
With the decline in demand for tanner's clay and charcoal, the Haubergswirtschaft lost its importance. In the second half of the 20th century, extensive areas were therefore converted into high forest. The remaining coppice forests are mainly used for firewood.
Pile week and "Day of the Hauberg"
Every year after Whitsun, a charcoal pile is erected, which is cooked a week later and "harvested" on Corpus Christi. The wood is sold to interested visitors. Every two years (in odd-numbered years) there is also a "Day of the Pile" during the pile week with lots of information - and food is also provided. >Information on the various seasonal activities
You can download a brochure entitled "Historische Haubergswirtschaft in Kreuztal-Fellinghausen" here: Historic Haubergswirtschaft brochure.
Further information: Förderverein Historischer Hauberg Fellinghausen, Internet: www.fhhf.de
