In Friesland, we are planting new forest in nature reserve Ketliker Skar. Together with our partner It Fryske Gea, we are planting a total of 27,784 bomen. This way, we ensure a future-proof forest and contribute to more biodiversity in Friesland.
trees and shrubs planted
different species
hectares of new forest
planting period
In the late 19th century, beech and oak avenues, coppice groves and spruce trees were planted in the Ketliker Skar. Many of these spruce trees were for timber production. Fallow deer also used to be hunted in the area.
Now Ketliker Skar is a peaceful hiking area, but the monotonous spruce forests are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The European spruce and other tree species are affected by the European spruce bark beetle. These beetles crawl under the bark and gnaw the trees from within. As a result, the trees eventually die.
This is why It Fryske Gea is transforming the old production forests into more natural forests with great diversity. By planting different tree species, the forest is a lot more climate resistant than forests consisting of only one or a few species. Is a tree species struggling? Then the remaining tree species will maintain the forest.
Mixed deciduous forest is also less susceptible to forest fires, it holds (ground) water better and enriches the soil. As Trees for All, we are happy to help plant the new, future-proof forest.
In this way, we are strengthening the existing nature in Ketliker Skar and creating more habitat for typical forest dwellers such as ravens, wolves, badgers and tawny owls. We also hope that this will encourage nightingales and black storks to return to Ketliker Skar!
Last winter, we planted 15,984 new trees and shrubs adjacent to Ketliker Skar. During our field visit in August 2025, six months after planting, the trees were already growing excellently!
Adjacent to Ketliker Skar, we planted 15,984 new trees and shrubs on former agricultural land last winter. We also converted three grasslands within the existing nature reserve into forest. This winter, another 11,800 trees will be added to Ketliker Heide and Schaopedobbe. That’s a total of more than 23 football fields of new forest!
We will plant more than 25 different species that fit into the landscape: from black alder, hornbeam, small-leaved linden and sweet cherry to blackthorn, spruce, holly and wild apple.
This is how we are giving nature a helping hand: by manually introducing new species, the new forest can develop more quickly. As there are no other forests in the area, it would otherwise be difficult for new tree species to establish themselves in the forest area.
What’s more, a forest with different species offers more food, shelter and breeding grounds for countless animals, from insects and birds to small mammals. In this way, we are contributing to greater biodiversity in Friesland and creating a forest for the future.
Along with nature organisation It Fryske Gea, we’ve expanded the beautiful nature reserve Ketliker Skar, close to Heerenveen, by 10.5 hectares of new forest. Thanks to your donations, nearly 16,000 trees were planted! By doing so, we’re expanding the habitat of creatures like the raven, the badger, the wolf and…
Read the storyThe new, varied forest provides more habitat for animals such as the golden oriole, black woodpecker, pine marten and badger
The trees and shrubs will be planted on various locations in and around the Ketliker Skar nature reserve in Friesland, such as the Ketlikerheide and Schaopedobbe. Many walking routes run through the nature reserve.
In this project, we cooperate with It Fryske Gea. This is a provincial association for nature protection in Fryslân and has existed since 1930. They aim to protect, preserve and develop nature, landscape and cultural heritage. They currently manage more than 60 different nature reserves with a total area of some 21,000 hectares.
Do you think it is important that Trees for All can continue to support projects like this? Then you can support us with a donation. For every tree in the Netherlands, we also plant one abroad.
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