Forest restoration in Overijssel: 40,000 new trees for the future

Together with Landschap Overijssel, we restored forests in the province this past winter. Thanks to our donors, we were able to plant no fewer than 40,965 native trees and shrubs. This way, we’re giving weakened forests new life, making them more resilient to climate change and boosting biodiversity. In this update, you can read how the young plantings are doing!

Why forest restoration is necessary

In the past, large areas of Norway spruce were planted in Overijssel. The disadvantage is that such monotonous forests are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as drought, disease and pests.

This is also the case at Lemelerberg, a well-known nature reserve in Overijssel. In recent years, the Norway spruces here have become increasingly weaker due to dry summers and the gnawing of letterpress printers. These are beetles that crawl under the bark and gnaw the trees from the inside out. This ultimately caused the Norway spruces to die.

That is why we are transforming these vulnerable forests into mixed forests with up to 20 different tree species. A diverse forest is stronger and much more resistant to the effects of climate change. If one species struggles, the other species will maintain the forest. And the more different species there are, the more plants and animals they attract that belong in the forest. This creates a healthy ecosystem that can withstand shocks now and in the future.

One of the planting sites around the Lemelerberg, where many Norway spruces have died as a result of climate change. What remains is a large void in the middle of the forest.

This is how we approach it

Before the young trees were planted, the soil was prepared by tilling. This creates aerated soil, where rainwater can easily penetrate and roots can anchor themselves firmly.

The trees were then planted manually in clumps with sufficient space between them to allow them to receive enough light to grow. We chose only native trees and shrubs, species that belong naturally in this region.

Our business partners also helped out during a planting day at the Lemelerberg. Together, they planted hundreds of small-leaved lime trees. This deciduous tree flowers profusely, attracts many insects and, with its rapidly decomposing leaves, ensures fertile soil. This provides birds such as the pied flycatcher, chiffchaff and willow warbler with more food and makes the forest stronger and more resilient, step by step.

This is how the trees are doing now

Thanks to the wet winter, the trees are growing excellently! More than 90% of the trees survived their first year and are now beautifully leafed out. The young trees are protected from being eaten by deer and other animals with tubes, allowing them to grow safely.

Landschap Overijssel will continue to manage the trees in the coming years. This includes watering them during dry periods and keeping weeds away from the trees. This gives them plenty of room to grow into a mature forest.

Forests have been restored at various locations in Overijssel, and the young trees are already in full leaf!

A home for animals and plants

By choosing a wide variety of native and regional tree species, a diverse forest is created that is more resistant to climate change. These species also provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for countless animals, from insects and birds to small mammals.

What’s more, the new plantings and connections with existing forests create a larger, contiguous habitat. This makes it easier for animals to move around and brings nature in Overijssel back to life!

Keep it growing

And we will continue: next year, we will continue to work together on planting new trees and shrubs in Overijssel. In this way, we will make the province greener, more biodiverse and more resilient to the effects of climate change.