Accumulation of dead wood in abandoned beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in northwestern Germany

▶ Monitoring of strict forest reserves revealed an accumulation rate of coarse dead wood of 1 m3 ha−1 a−1 ▶ The rate of dead wood input is mainly determined by disturbance driven tree mortality such as oak decline, bark beetle infestations and storms. ▶ After three decades critical values for restoring the dead wood pool could be reached. ▶ The abandonment of forest activities in harvestable pure and mixed beech stands is an effective strategy for restoring old growth attributes.