The Most Caring Forest Owners: Roman Zakšek

Roman Zakšek from the village of Golobinjek near Planina pri Sevnici has been connected to the forest his entire life – in fact, he was almost born in one. At a very young age, he and his wife became the caretakers of a farm that initially had six hectares of forest – today, he owns around 47 hectares. His forests stretch over a distance of about six kilometers, divided into several plots averaging 10 to 15 hectares in size, mostly consisting of mixed woodland. He says he visits his forests regularly and treats them with great respect – qualities that surely contributed to him being named the Most Caring Forest Owner 2024 by the Celje Regional Unit.

Read more: Caring for the Forest and What It Means to Be a Responsible Owner

What does this title mean to him? He answers honestly: “I think this title is the greatest honor a farmer like me – or a forest owner in general – can receive. It’s not something you can buy; it’s the result of decades of work. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in the forest over the years and also that I’ve become somewhat of a role model in our Planina region when it comes to farming and forestry. It’s definitely a great recognition – the cherry on top.”

A Tradition Passed Down from His Father

His brother also received the same title a few years ago. When asked jokingly whether this kind of care for the forest runs in the family, he replied that it probably does to some extent. “Our father taught us how to care for and respect the forest. My brother and I certainly inherited that from him. Even our third brother, who isn’t as active in forestry, has a good relationship with nature,” he explained for the Tajfun blog. Though he doesn’t yet know who will eventually take over the family farm, as all three of his children have moved away, he remains optimistic. He’s already passing his love of the forest on to his grandchildren, teaching them about different tree species and how to behave respectfully in the woods.

Roman Zakšek was one of the first in the Celje area to take various forestry courses decades ago, learning how to manage and work in the forest. For a while, he also performed forestry services with a team of four employees. Although the forest was not his main source of income (he raised cattle and sold milk), he consistently invested in and maintained it – which is why he says he can now “reap the rewards” in his later years.

He Sometimes Thinks About the Forest at Night

As a dedicated caretaker, he tries to visit the forest regularly. It remains a source of great joy and relaxation for him, along with his passion for hunting. “Good cooperation with the Slovenia Forest Service (ZGS), with district foresters and experts, is essential. We learn a lot from each other. As I walk through the forest, I already mark trees that could be felled, think about what else needs to be done – I follow everything that’s happening out there,” he said. Sometimes, he even wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about how best to fell a tree: “I’ll be thinking about one particular tree, and suddenly the solution on how to bring it down safely just hits me.”

Over the years, many of his work relationships have turned into friendships. “It means a lot when professionals praise your work. As someone who’s been active in this field for a long time, I truly appreciate their knowledge.”

The forest gives him peace, especially when the results of hard work become visible: “When you see a tree you raised growing strong and healthy, it gives you deep satisfaction. It fills you with energy. And it benefits everyone – we all get to breathe cleaner, fresher air.”

Drought and Bark Beetles

We met on one of this summer’s scorching hot days. Roman noted that things are still manageable in his area; Planina is a few degrees cooler. However, climate change – especially drought – is something we will all have to get used to. “Droughts have always been around, but now they’re more frequent and more extreme. Fortunately, we haven’t had major issues with bark beetles in our forests, but you can see that spruce, which was heavily planted in the past based on the ‘German model’, will probably disappear from our region due to heat and pests.”

He points out that he never viewed the forest only in terms of money. “You need to think about what’s best for the forest. Let light in, give young trees space to grow. Yes, forest brings some income, but that can’t be the only focus.”

Do Slovenians truly understand the value of forests? Zakšek is critical of the state’s role. “I think SiDG doesn’t manage state forests well. When I walk through Bohor, private forests are better maintained than public ones, even though it used to be the other way around. I believe the state sees forests too much through the lens of profit.”

“Every tree deserves respect. Whether it’s 20 or 80 centimeters thick, you have to treat it with care – otherwise, it can seriously hurt you. You need knowledge and also a bit of luck,” he added. He emphasizes how important it is to think carefully when felling trees – how to do it in a way that protects surrounding trees, especially those close to maturity. And above all: safety must always come first.

A tractor with a bucket in the dirt AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Forestry Work Requires a Clear Mind

“I never cut corners on safety gear and protective clothing. I always made sure I was properly equipped. And I never worked under the influence of alcohol. Not even when forestry was my profession. For me, safety and respect have always been more important than money,” he said.

The Most Caring Forest Owner and Tajfun

Roman also shared that he has had a long and successful collaboration with Tajfun and uses Tajfun forestry equipment. He still has some of the company’s earliest products and continues to upgrade his equipment when possible.

Nearly 10 years ago, he participated in a special project with Tajfun – the filming of a product video showcasing the Tajfun logging winch line. Some of the scenes were shot at his well-maintained farm, and for two days, he “loaned” his carefully managed forest to Tajfun’s production crew. The video even features him professionally and skillfully felling a tree.

We at Tajfun deeply appreciate our close relationship with Roman, and we’re thankful for his constructive feedback and practical advice about our machines. His opinion as a forestry expert is invaluable – especially since he is now officially one of Slovenia’s Most Caring Forest Owners.