Dennert Fir Tree
Encyclopedia
The Dennert Fir Tree is a signboard that is used throughout the Harz mountains in Germany to provide information about mining and other points of interest in the area. The signboards mark locations, traces and monuments to mining
, to the Upper Harz Water Regale
, a medieval water management system, or even personalities in mining history in the Upper Harz mining area
. They have since become used to document other notable sites within the Harz.
The first Dennert Fir Tree was set up on 9 October 1949 in the vicinity of the former Sarepta Pit (Grube Sarepta) in Clausthal
. It was sponsored by the Power and Water Management Division (Kraft- und Wasserwirtschaft GmbH) of Preussag AG, the operator of the Upper Harz Water Regalem at that time. The instigator was Oberbergrat Herbert Dennert (1902–1994). Dennert promoted the preservation of mining monuments and published several books about mining in the Upper Harz
.
The signs measure 75 × 80 cm, are mainly made of wood and have the characteristic shape of a stylised fir tree. They are painted yellow with a green and black border. Underneath a hammer and chisel symbol the type of site is described together with important information. The texts were researched and published from 1949 to 1981 by Herbert Dennert. The Upper Harz History and Museum Society maintain over 200 signs within an area of 100 km².
Dennert Fir Trees that are set up by municipalities or branches of the Harz Club
have the shield of their respective village at the top instead of the hammer and pick. For example, the Braunlage branch sponsors around 60 signs (as at April 09).
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
, to the Upper Harz Water Regale
Upper Harz Water Regale
The Upper Harz Water Regale is a system of dams, reservoirs, ditches and other structures, much of which was built from the 16th to 19th centuries to divert and store the water that drove the water wheels of the mines in the Upper Harz region of Germany...
, a medieval water management system, or even personalities in mining history in the Upper Harz mining area
Mining in the Upper Harz
Mining in the Upper Harz region of central Germany was a major industry for several centuries, especially for the production of silver, lead, copper, and, latterly, zinc as well. Great wealth was accumulated from the mining of silver from the 16th to the 19th centuries, as well as from important...
. They have since become used to document other notable sites within the Harz.
The first Dennert Fir Tree was set up on 9 October 1949 in the vicinity of the former Sarepta Pit (Grube Sarepta) in Clausthal
Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Clausthal-Zellerfeld is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located in the southwestern part of the Harz mountains. Its population is approximately 15,000, Clausthal-Zellerfeld is also the seat of the Samtgemeinde Oberharz....
. It was sponsored by the Power and Water Management Division (Kraft- und Wasserwirtschaft GmbH) of Preussag AG, the operator of the Upper Harz Water Regalem at that time. The instigator was Oberbergrat Herbert Dennert (1902–1994). Dennert promoted the preservation of mining monuments and published several books about mining in the Upper Harz
Upper Harz
The Upper Harz refers to the western and higher part of the Harz mountain range in central Germany. Much of the Upper Harz is over , but at its eastern edge in the High Harz it climbs to over on the Brocken massif.- Geography :...
.
The signs measure 75 × 80 cm, are mainly made of wood and have the characteristic shape of a stylised fir tree. They are painted yellow with a green and black border. Underneath a hammer and chisel symbol the type of site is described together with important information. The texts were researched and published from 1949 to 1981 by Herbert Dennert. The Upper Harz History and Museum Society maintain over 200 signs within an area of 100 km².
Dennert Fir Trees that are set up by municipalities or branches of the Harz Club
Harz Club
The Harz Club is club dedicated to maintaining the traditions of the Harz mountains in Germany and looking after the walking trails in the Harz. It was founded in 1886 in Seesen and, today, has about 16,000 members in some 90 branches.- History :...
have the shield of their respective village at the top instead of the hammer and pick. For example, the Braunlage branch sponsors around 60 signs (as at April 09).