More than 70,000 trees for a greener Overijssel: results for 2024-2025

Together with Landschap Overijssel, we are greening the countryside! Thanks to our donors, we planted no fewer than 70,580 trees and shrubs last winter. This enriches the landscape with hedges, wooded banks and rows of trees throughout the province. In this way, we are making Overijssel greener, more biodiverse and future-proof.

Why are we greening the countryside in Overijssel?

If you look closely at the countryside, you can discover all kinds of landscape elements. These include rows of trees, hedges or small copses (green elements) or ditches, streams and pools (blue elements). Together, they form the “green-blue network” of a landscape. These features give a region its character and are indispensable for plants and animals.

Unfortunately, over the past century, approximately 60% of landscape elements in the countryside have disappeared. This is partly due to urbanisation and the increase in scale of agriculture.

That is why we are helping the Landschap Overijssel foundation to achieve its mission: by 2030, 10% of the countryside must be greened with hedgerows, canals and hedges. Together, we are restoring the typical Overijssel landscape and creating more living space for countless plants and animals.

How do we do this?

Over the past three years, we have worked with more than 200 landowners to create or restore landscape features. Last winter, farmers took part, as did local residents who planted trees around their properties or created fruit orchards.

Landschap Overijssel drew up a work plan and map for each participant, tailored to their location and wishes. Participants received the trees and shrubs from Trees for All and carried out the groundwork and planting themselves.

We only use native species such as black alder, rough birch, hawthorn, blackthorn, sessile oak and willow. We use these to supplement existing elements and create new structures. In this way, a bare row of trees is transformed into a dense wooded bank that attracts birds, insects and mammals in large numbers.

How are the trees and shrubs doing now?

After planting, field advisors from Landschap Overijssel checked the new growth. Thanks to the wet winter, the trees and shrubs are growing excellently. In fact, almost all the trees and plants have survived!

The participants will manage their trees and shrubs for at least 10 years. They will receive guidance and practical tips from Landschap Overijssel, for example on watering during dry periods or combating unwanted vegetation. They can also take a course to increase their knowledge.

Throughout Overijssel, participants planted trees and shrubs on their land or around their yards last winter. Here are a few examples!

More nature, more biodiversity

Rows of trees, pollarded trees, small copses, hedges and standard fruit trees in the countryside are incredibly important for nature. They provide shelter and nesting sites for all kinds of animal species. Hollows in trees are home to woodpeckers and pine martens. Mosses and fungi grow on the trunks. And they provide food, such as berry-bearing and flowering shrubs.

In addition, landscape elements provide a connecting structure in the landscape. Trees and hedges allow animals to move easily from one area to another and meet other animals of the same species. A green highway, as it were.

And it doesn’t stop with trees: some participants also created a flower strip or pond, which further enhances biodiversity.

Thank you!

This project would not have been possible without the support of our donors. Thanks to your donations, we are making the countryside greener, more biodiverse and future-proof. So, on behalf of us and Landschap Overijssel: thank you! See you next planting season!