Valuable hardwood forest
The most common tree species on Hensjönäset is beech. In the spring, before the leaves of the beech emerge, the ground is covered by a carpet of white sedges. When the leaves of the beech leaf out, it becomes too shady for other plants, thus out-competing the beech with other tree species. In gaps created when trees fall over, other tree species can overtake the book. Forest oak, ash and birch can grow there, among other things.
In Sweden, the total proportion of broadleaf forest has decreased drastically in recent centuries as a result of us humans. From a historical perspective, deciduous trees have dominated the tree composition in the Swedish forests since the last ice age until the end of the 19th century. The decline of broadleaf forests has been accelerated in the last 100 years by the demand for fast-growing and easy-to-maintain tree species, such as spruce and pine. Since the proportion of broadleaf forests has declined sharply, it is important to preserve the broadleaf forests that remain. Many plants and animals need deciduous forests to live in. An important measure in Hensjönäset is to let nature have its own order in the forest.

Tracks from the past
Many people before us have used the landscape around Hensjönäset. In the 1750s, sparser deciduous forest grew here and was grazed by cows in the summer. The isthmus was then called Norrehagen and was owned by the village of Stora Blötan south of the reserve. According to the surveyor, the bait on Hensjönäset was "of good mullet until 9 o'clock in the summer." Today we had instead said that the pasture is enough for nine or ten cows all summer. In the north-eastern part there are also traces of the Sjöamellan croft that was here in the 19th century. Inside the trees you can discover lots of stone cairns where the croft used to have its arable and meadow land. The families who lived in crofts were usually not self-sufficient in grain and meat. Instead, they might have to do day labor on a larger farm nearby or have other side jobs to earn extra money.
The ending -måla, as in the village of Hensmåla north of the nature reserve, is particularly common in the border area between Småland and Blekinge. This suffix refers to new cultivations during the late Middle Ages, between 1350–1527 AD. Explanations for its origin are considered to be the Old Swedish mala 'measure' and male 'agreement', alternatively 'measured piece of land'. Stora and Lilla Blötan in the south, in turn, have no ending, but can refer to the wet characteristics of the landscape.
During the 19th century, the water level in both Stora and Lilla Hensjön was lowered in an attempt to create more farmland. Before the lowering, the water level was almost a meter higher in both lakes. Now long, winding elevations of stone follow the paths along the shore edge of the isthmus. These are called seawalls and are the old water line. If you want, you can walk on the old lakebed at the far end of the lake at Lilla Hensjön. Be careful, if it has rained a lot, the ground can sometimes be wet and muddy!

Two different lakes
Stora and Lilla Hensjön are reflected on each side of the isthmus. The lakes are different even though they share
same name. Stora Hensjön is larger, deeper and the water is clear. That the water is so clear indicates that Stora Hensjön is a nutrient-poor lake. This means that the Storlommen thrive here, which like to build their nests on the shore and dive for fish in the clear water. Lilla Hensjön, on the contrary, is smaller, shallower and cloudy. At the water's edge grow reeds and kelp which thrive in nutrient-rich waters. In the protective vegetation, many smaller birds such as the Common Warbler thrive. Thanks to the different lakes, many different animals and plants thrive on Hensjönäset!