Clearing out a chestnut stand to promote species diversity in Ticino 

Near the village of Osogna, the bushes and other vegetation that have taken over a stand of chestnuts will be cleared out, and the area will be mowed and regularly cared for so that the trees can be harvested again. This biodiversity project, which is sponsored by AXA and managed by oekoskop (in German), will revitalize the stand over a longer period of time. A section of the overgrown stand is to come under cultivation again. 

Chestnut stands – the orchards of southern Switzerland 

Chestnut trees have been a prominent feature in the landscape of southern Switzerland for hundreds of years. Just as fruit trees in the north provide diverse habitat, so too do chestnut trees in the south. They can live to be over 300 years old and have a variety of structures such as tree crown dieback or numerous hollows. Insects and mushrooms that can’t be found anywhere else live in the deadwood. The hollows serve as nesting places for many different birds, bats and mammals such as squirrels and dormice. 

Pönt chestnut stand 

The chestnut stand being revitalized in this project grows near Pönt close to the village of Osogna in the Riviera district of Ticino. The stand covers some 6 hectares and is about 711 meters above sea level. It can only be reached by a trail that takes about one hour to walk. Some of the stand is still intact and is already being managed. The biodiversity project focuses on the northern, open part of the stand, which is partially overgrown with bracken and blackberries. This section will be revitalized, managed over the long term and put under cultivation again. Because the southern part of the stand is rocky and difficult to access, it isn’t suitable for long-term management. For this reason, this section will only be maintained when enough resources are available to do so.

Measures for revitalization 

The following measures are planned to revitalize the chestnut stand 

• Clearing out the brush: During the first step in May 2025, the civilian service will start clearing out the overgrown brush in the northern section of the stand, focusing on fully removing blackberry brambles and bushes.
• Regular upkeep:  the stand will be mowed once a year in those areas where it is possible. And regular upkeep is planned for every one to two years.

These measures should keep the chestnut stand in good shape for a long while and provide habitat for insects, birds, bats, squirrels and dormice.

Your contribution to this project 

When you donate to this project in Ticino, you help revitalize this chestnut stand and also help grow biodiversity in Switzerland. 

As an AXA customer, you have the option of taking part in this project or any of our other anniversary projects. You’ll receive a personal invitation to join us in the Flora Futura Box, where you’ll be able to scan the QR code on your invitation. For every QR code that is scanned, AXA will donate CHF 5 to the biodiversity project in your region.