Water-retaining wood species
| Priority | Tree | Water retention | Main functions | Optimal zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Beech (Fagus spp.) | Very high | Humus accumulation, water infiltration, soil protection, erosion reduction | Medium wet slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fir (Abies spp.) | Very high | Snow retention, moisture retention, microclimate protection | Upper and middle slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Linden (Tilia spp.) | Very high | Rich leaf litter, humus formation, nutrition of soil biota | Middle slopes, foothills |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Maple (Acer spp.) | Very high | Developed root system, improved soil structure, moisture retention | Middle slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ash (Fraxinus spp.) | Very high | Deep roots, rapid decomposition of leaves, increased water permeability | Middle slopes, floodplains |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Alder (Alnus spp.) | High | Nitrogen fixation, bank stabilization, restoration of poor soils | Springs, streams, floodplains |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Elm (Ulmus spp.) | High | Strengthening slopes and ravines, protecting soil | Middle slopes, floodplains |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Larch (Larix spp.) | High | Strengthening rocky slopes, deep roots | Upper slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Spruce (Picea spp.) | High | Snow retention, wind protection, evaporation reduction | Upper slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Oak (Quercus spp.) | High | Deep root system, long-term accumulation of organic matter | Middle and lower slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Willow (Salix spp.) | High | Strengthening banks, protecting riverbeds, and rapid restoration | Springs, streams, floodplains |
| ⭐⭐⭐ | Birch (Betula spp.) | Average | Rapid settlement of degraded areas, soil improvement | Upper and middle slopes |
| ⭐⭐⭐ | Poplar (Populus spp.) | Average | Rapid growth, strengthening of floodplains | Floodplains, river mouths |
| ⭐⭐ | Chestnut (Castanea spp.) | Average | Deep roots, fruiting | Lower slopes |
| ⭐⭐ | Walnut (Juglans spp.) | Average | Deep root system, fruiting | Foothills |
| ⭐⭐ | Wild apple (Malus sylvestris) | Average | Fruit base for animals | Foothills |
| ⭐⭐ | Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster) | Average | Drought resistance, fruiting | Foothills |
| ⭐⭐ | Cherry (Prunus avium) | Average | Food base for birds and animals | Lower slopes |
Priority groups
| Group | Main types | Main function |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum water retention | Beech, Fir, Linden, Maple, Ash | Formation of spongy forest soil and precipitation infiltration |
| Protection of riverbeds and springs | Alder, Willow, Elm | Strengthening banks and water filtration |
| Snow retention | Fir, Spruce, Larch | Accumulation of snow cover and gradual melting |
| Long-term moisture accumulation | Oak, Beech | Formation of mature forests and deep soils |
| Fast recovery | Birch, Poplar, Willow | Repopulation of disturbed areas and erosion control |
| Agroforestry | Walnut, Chestnut, Apple, Pear, Cherry | Food production while maintaining hydrological function |
The main rule of DREVO Living Mountains:The maximum water-retaining effect is achieved not by planting one species, but by creatingmulti-layered mixed forest, where beech, fir, linden, maple and ash combine to form the basis of the catchment forest, while alder and willow form protective strips along springs, streams and rivers.
DREVO Water Forest formula
The greatest effect is achieved not by individual trees, but by their combination:
upper tier- beech, fir, oak;
middle tier— linden, maple, ash, elm;
lower tier— hazel, viburnum, elderberry, honeysuckle;
soil cover- ferns, forest herbs, mosses and mushrooms;
deadwood and brushwood— to accumulate moisture and develop soil biota.
This multi-tiered structure is capable of retaining significantly more water than sparse plantings or monocultures, while reducing erosion and maintaining a stable moisture cycle in mountain watersheds.