Some residents of Graz Buchkogel receive free firewood from city forests. A case of ‘friendship’? Not at all. This is based on historical registration rights.
The Buchkogel in the west of the capital is a popular recreational area. Observant hikers have noticed in recent weeks that forest workers from the city of Graz have neatly cut and stacked firewood (see photo above) – which is then collected by private individuals. The distrust of critical observers: are some privileged people provided with free wood from urban forests?
Subscription rights from the 19th century
“This is by no means a friendly economy. These withdrawals are based on old fuelwood purchase rights, which are even registered in the land registry,” explains urban forester Peter Denk from Graz in response to a question from “Krone”. When the city of Graz acquired the forests on the Buchkogel from the Admont Abbey in 1996, these historical obligations were transferred to the city.
These were originally intended as a reward for small beetles that lived on the Buchkogel and helped with forest maintenance all year round. “The associated regulatory document dates back to 1858. Local committees of K.-UK have determined certain timber purchasing rights depending on ownership,” explains Jörg Hübler from the Styrian Agricultural District Authority, which is responsible for regulating these so-called forestry rights.
“Manageable amount”
These documents have no time limit and are therefore legally valid to this day. They do not expire even if ownership changes, and the warrants cannot be canceled without an express waiver by the city. Ten properties in the vicinity of the city forest on the Buchkogel still benefit from this today. “It concerns about eleven meters of space, so a manageable amount,” says the city forester.
The fact that the logs are sawn to size at all is not a voluntary service: it is determined exactly in what form the wood must be delivered. As forest owners, the Austrian Federal Army is also affected by the strange arrangement on the Buchkogel. And it is by no means a Graz phenomenon: such timber purchasing rights are widespread in the German-speaking area.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
