Forestry
Forest covers almost the entire Nahe region, including the river meadows.
At the higher altitudes, there are mostly beech forests, under 400 meters,
there are mainly oaks. Interspersed with these are maple, ash, birch, beam, and
in wetter areas along the river are alder and willow. After the ruinous phase of
commercial exploitation, about 160 years ago, more productive types of trees
were introduced, mainly the spruce tree. In the area where a dryer wine-growing
climate predominates though, the spruce has only limitated space.
Brushwood played an important role in the Nahe valley and in most
of its steep side valleys up until 60 years ago. This type of forestry called
for cutting down oaks when they reached twenty years of age but allowing the
stump to produce shoots in order to create the next generation of trees. The
bark was used as a basis of tanning agents for leatherworking, while the wood
was prized for burning.
For centuries, Loh- und Rotgerber (specialized tanners) tanned the pelts of
local fur-bearing animals and made these pelts into leather. Out of this,
a new and important leather industry has developed during the past decades in
Kirn.
In the old days, ground oak bark was used as the tanning agent. It was obtained
from 12 to 18 year old oaks by peeling the bark from the trunk and branches.
The dried bark was then put through a mill to finely grind it. The actual tanning
process itself took place in a pit, the bottom of which was strewn with a layer
of this ground bark (tanning agent). On top of this, the tanner spread the cleaned
and prepared skins. This layer was covered with the tanning agent, and another layer
of skins was laid upon it. These alternating layers would build up until the pit
was full. Boards were laid across the topmost layer and weighted with heavy
stones. Finally, the tanner would saturate the pit by running water into it.
After 2 to 3 months, the tanning agents were fully absorbed into the skins. This
process would be repeated until the leather was "sated". Oak bark gave a
brownish red color, which is the basis for the name "Rotgerber" ("Redtanner"). In
Kirn there is a Rotgerber guild, which was founded in 1612, and still exists today.
For further information: Kennzeichen KH, Heimatkunde
für den Landkreis Bad Kreuznach, Ernst Klett 1986
