Noord-Brabant

What makes this project in Noord-Brabant necessary?

In the next few years, Trees for All and Brabant Landscape want to plant new forest in various herbaceous grasslands. These are grasslands with various kinds of grasses and herbs, such as clover, buttercup and cuckoo flower. In principle, these grasslands may add surplus value to nature and biodiversity. But in the sites we have in mind to plant trees, this is not the case, unfortunately. For years, biodiversity has failed  to start sufficiently of its own accord. Variety in nature is not optimal here, either.

For that reason, Brabant Landscape have made a selection of grasslands which we are going to remodel into forest. And from Trees for All we have shared our knowledge and experience. In spite of intensive management, the sites we finally selected do not develop towards herbaceous grasslands. This is caused by all sorts of factors, such as drought, bad water quality, intensive agriculture in the past and acidification of the soil.

By planting new forest, we get biodiversity going again. We reinforce existing forests and connect nature reserves. Thus large, unbroken stretches of nature are created, which attract all kinds of plants and animals. And those grasslands which are herbaceous or show the potency to become so? We simply let them be. They form a beautiful addition to the forests of the Netherlands!

Examples of sites in Noord-Brabant where we plant trees. They are situated close to or even touching existing forest. Planting new forest helps us create large, unbroken stretches of nature.

What are we going to do in Noord-Brabant?

From 2021 to 2023 we have planted 95,570 trees and bushes. In the next few years we want to plant another 119,010 trees. This involves various species of trees and bushes which do not or hardly occur in the area.  Think of rowan, field maple, common hornbeam, wild cherry, common hazel, hawthorn, bog myrtle, dog rose, pedunculate oak, small-leaved lime, elderberry, downy birch, holly, bird cherry, guelder-rose, privet, crab apple, black alder and willow.

By planting many different sorts we create varied forests. Such forests are a lot more climate proof than forests consisting of only a single species of trees. Does one kind of tree meet with rough times? The other species will keep the forest in shape.

And another advantage: when the trees reach maturity, they provide new sources of seed. That way, new trees and bushes may grow naturally in this area. They will spread their seeds in the surrounding forests. And nature will come to life more and more!

We plant various kinds of tress and bushes in order to create varied forests. Left to right: hazel, small-leaved lime, hawthorn, downy birch.

This project contributes to the realisation of multiple Sustainable Development Goals

Our partner

Within this project we co-operate with Brabants Landschap. For 90 years this foundation has devoted itself to the protection and development of nature and heritage in Noord-Brabant. Co-operation enables us to create even greater impact for a well-wooded country. Thus we work together towards a better climate, more biodiversity and healthy living conditions!

“By co-operating with Trees for All we can plant more forest faster. This is important to make existing forests more robust and interconnect them. We plant many different species. This renders the new forests more climate proof and valuable for plants and animals. The people who visit our natural reserves will appreciate this variety as well.”

– Rob Vriends, project manager Brabants Landschap