Leersum
Together with Staatsbosbeheer and the Buitenfonds, Trees for All is planting new forest in the province of Utrecht. On former grasslands in Leersum we support the planting of 40,000 trees.
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Why is this project needed?
The world needs more forest and so does the Netherlands. Our central government wants to create a total of 37,000 hectares of new forest in the Netherlands before 2030. The goal of this strategy is to improve the quality of our existing forests and further expand the existing forests in the Netherlands. Trees for All is happy to contribute to this.
In Leersum we plant trees in locations situated between the sandy Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the clayey polder and river landscape. Many tree species that thrive on moist soils have traditionally grown here. Think of willows and alders. Unfortunately, many tree and shrub species have disappeared over the past century, partly due to the expansion of cities, the construction of more infrastructure and the scaling up of agriculture.
Due to the disappearance of trees and shrubs, all kinds of all kinds of plants and animals have lost their habitat. Unique landscapes have also been lost in the process. We are changing this by planting new trees.
The planting day in February 2023.
What are we going to do in Leersum?
We started planting in the winter of 2022-2023. Then a total of 24,000 trees and shrubs went into the ground. In this way, we created the first 6 hectares of new forest. That amounts to almost 9 soccer fields! In the winter of 2023-2024, another 16,000 trees will be added.
We are planting different native species of trees and shrubs to create a diverse forest. By example, black alder, downy birch, elm, willow, blackthorn and hawthorn. These are species native to the Netherlands. This will create a strong and healthy forest that can also withstand tough times in the future. We do this because diverse forests are more resistant to drought, diseases or pests than a forest with one or a few tree species. If one species get tough in a diverse forest, then the remaining trees will maintain the forest. Moreover, a diverse forest attracts many different types of plants and animals. Think of birds, mammals or fungi, but also insects, such as bees and butterflies.
News about this project
Ten extra football pitches of forest in Leersum
During the winter of 2022-2023, we collaborated with Staatsbosbeheer and the Buitenfonds on planting new forests in the Netherlands. In total, the project involved 60,493 trees, spread over more than 14 hectares of land. One of the planting locations was close to the village of Leersum, in Utrecht, where 24,000…
Read the story
How a forest grows
Growing phases of a forest A forest grows in phases. After planting, it takes several decades for a forest to fully develop. And still much later can we speak of a full-grown forest, in which trees, plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms live optimally together. In the meantime, a lot is…
Read the storyThis project contributes to several
Sustainable Development Goals
Where are we going to plant?
We plant trees on former grasslands in Leersum, in the province of Utrecht. Leersum is located in the middle of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. So, with this project we are also strengthening the surrounding nature in this beautiful area.
Onze samenwerkingspartners
We are working on this project together with Staatsbosbeheer and het Buitenfonds (the support foundation of Staatsbosbeheer).
