Visingsborg Royal Manor, Visingsö, Lake Vättern

Oak woods for today and tomorrow

Oak timber from the island of Visingsö is currently used to make wooden floors and boats. The National Property Board (SFV) has installed wooden floors made from Visingsö timber in premises such as the Swedish National Heritage Board offices in Stockholm. So that future generations can enjoy visiting the oak woods of Visingsö, new trees are planted when existing stocks are harvested. Over time, this means the trees will not all be the same age, as they were originally. On the other hand, it will give visitors the opportunity to see the plantations at different stages, and to study the various cultivation techniques employed throughout a tree's period of growth. There are already some age differences in the oak stocks.

Great efforts have been made to thin out the fir trees that grow among the oaks, latterly providing them with too much competition. Other issues that have to be addressed are how to manage the oak stocks now they are starting to grow old, how to go about harvesting and replanting, and how to accommodate recreational and conservation interests. The objective is to secure the continuing existence of the oak woods from a cultural history, ecological and leisure perspective.

Walking trails in the oak woods

There are walking trails on the south part of Visingsö, starting near the harbour. There are three waymarked trails: 3.8 km, 6.4 km and 7.2 km. These largely follow existing paths that have been cleared, waymarked and linked together. The forest trails are not groomed. Disabled visitors are currently advised to use the forest roads through the oak woods (some of which lead to signposted objects) and public roads. The trails through the oak woods pass locations and objects of historical or botanical interest: from burial sites and half-timbered Crown barns to mulberry trees and the "big silver fir". All these sights are signposted. There are rest areas with benches at five locations along the trails.

History

Rich in archaeology

Visingsborgs kungsgård is on Visingsö, the largest island in Lake Vättern, with a population of around 800. The island has been inhabited since it emerged from the waters at the end of the Ice Age. Archaeological finds of varying antiquity have been discovered here, showing that in Viking times Visingsö ranked alongside places such as Birka. Perhaps most striking are the three large Viking burial sites. These were originally larger, but many burial mounds were destroyed when the ground was cultivated.

Castle built and destroyed, island granted to nobleman

Visingsö has been owned by the Swedish Crown since the early Middle Ages. A stone castle was built on the south tip of the island in the 12th century by one of the Sverker kings. Visingsö remained one of the army's main strongholds until the early 14th century. King Magnus Ladulås died here in 1290. He was succeeded by his son Birger, who came into dispute with his brothers, Duke Valdemar and Duke Erik. Following the Feast of Nyköping in 1317, when Birger had his brothers imprisoned until they starved to death, rebellion broke out in Sweden. The castle on Visingsö was destroyed during this uprising, but the royal estates remained in Crown ownership.

In 1561, Visingsö was among the lands granted to Per Brahe the Elder when he was made a count. Brahe began building Visingsborg Castle on the island's east coast, which would later be extended several times by his sons. When the Visingsborg estate was formed, residents of three villages - Ströja, Vallby and Husaby - were evicted.

Crown estate after confiscation - navy's need for timber

Following the confiscation of land from the nobility, the estate reverted to the Crown and was initially assigned to the county governors of Jönköping. Fine half-timbered barns were built, two of which survive. The estate was later leased to various tenants. Leasing ended in 1832, when large areas were planted with oak trees to provide a future source of timber for the navy. Since the 17th century, oak trees had been protected by royal prerogative, with harsh sentences for anyone caught cutting down an oak. However, this failed to deter the public and Sweden's oak stocks were declining. Once the regrowth of oak stocks had been secured on Crown lands, control over oak trees on private land could be returned to landowners.

Now rich in oaks

Visingsö was seen as an unusually good location for growing oaks, and planting commenced in 1832 under the direction of Ström, the Forester Royal. However, by the time the trees were ripe for harvesting, the navy had switched to other materials. Oak timber from Visingsö was never used for its original intended purpose.

Nowadays, the Crown estate is again leased out, but the associated agricultural land is greatly reduced in size compared with past times. The Crown barns were designated as historic monuments in 1935.