The present publication describes the stand development and the carbon storage of the naturalforest "Schonstedter Holz" at the Nationalpark Hainich. An area of 109 ha was researched in a systematic sample point inventory with a net of 100 x 100 m. The Schonstedter Holz shows a natural tree species composition with dominate beech. The compact wood volume is 497 m(3) ha(-1), the volume of coarse woody debris is about 40 m(3) ha(-1). The number of steins decrease exponentially with increasing breast heigh diameter. On a large area there is a distinct horizontal distribution of it multi-layered forest. At the research area are 10 tree species. With increasing tree species diversity decrease the compact wood volume. The single-tree forest dynamic of natural beech forest is clarified through a single-tree oriented analyses of tree damages, vitality and tendency of development. Information of 25 sample points from the year 2000 arc available. The annual increment of compact wood volume is here 10,3 m(3) ha(-1) and 2,1% of the compact wood volume respectively. The C-storage in stern, branches and roots are 244 t ha(-1). The futural forest dynamic of the Schonstedter Holz is uncertain. As a result of distinct symptoms of old age in the mixed tree species there will be a homogenisation for the benefit of beech. The regeneration is also dominated by beech, and it is not clear how far this is a result of a high roe deer population or availability of light. [References: 40