In February 2023, we will begin thinning the forests north of Old Lake. The planting of new trees will be in the fall. This management contributes to the development of a diverse deciduous forest. Such a forest is a fine habitat for animals and insects. 

Room to grow

During thinning, we give native trees more room to grow. Trees that impede their growth we remove. These are often Scots pine and Corsican pine. These species are still the most common here. This management will eventually create a mixed forest rich in structure. Such a forest is more resistant to climate change and forest fires and allows more animals to live comfortably.

Planting new trees

At a number of small planting sites thus created, we place small groups of new trees. We plant Dutch trees that are now too rare here, such as lime, hornbeam, sweet cherry, wild bird cherry and hazel. These species are good for the forest and soil life.  

Safety

Should you be in the forest during the work, please stay at a safe distance. The roads and paths will be temporarily less passable. We hope for your understanding. We will repair the roads and paths as soon as possible after the work is finished. We do depend on the right weather conditions.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Willem Aarts or Erik Ceelen of Bosgroep Zuid-Nederland. This can be done by phone at (040) 20 66 360 and by e-mail at w.aarts@bosgroepen.nlof e.ceelen@bosgroepen.nl.

We also had several videos made explaining forest management.

Explanation of ecological forest maintenance

Explanation of blushing the trees

Explaining how to combat acidification

Explanation of forest maintenance performed and new plantings

Unfortunately, natural forest has long since ceased to exist. In the distant past there was a natural forest here: varied and rich in species of trees that grew well here such as birch, oak and lime. Because of man, that forest disappeared and heath and drifting sand came. About 100 years ago, production forest was planted on these poor soils. Large straight sections with the same species of the same age. Especially the Scots pine and oak. Now this forest suffers from human influences such as acidification, desiccation and climate change. Dead Norway spruce trees show how vulnerable our forest is. Therefore, we are going to give nature a hand. 

Branches and dead trees are deliberately left lying or standing. It is habitat for animals, plants and fungi and slowly provides nutrition to the soil.

You will see that the forest will soon begin to recover and take advantage of the light and space we have created. Trees will have a chance to grow taller and fuller. Just look up at the space their crowns have gained. Large sturdy trees make for a healthier and more robust forest. Species that are less good for the forest are gradually being removed and desirable deciduous species remain. Light on the ground provides opportunities for rejuvenation and planting of new soil-improving species, such as lime, maple and sweet cherry. Good for variety and biodiversity!

The trails were restored (after the mud had dried up).

We cut down trees only when necessary for forest development or safety. Sale of logs by the municipality benefits management. The municipality also has an annual management budget to maintain its forest and natural areas.

During the past thinning, a total of 5,026 trees were felled with a total volume of 2,476 m³. This seems like a lot, but in the past 5 years the forest has also grown by 3,623 m³. So this means that over the past 5 years the forest has grown 1,147 m³ more than was harvested. The management plan indicated that a maximum harvest of 80% of the additional growth of the past 5 years was allowed. This has been well within this with 68%.

The thinned trees are mainly Scots Pine and American Oak. The Scots Pine is currently the most common species. Focusing primarily on this species will make room for other species, eventually creating a more diverse forest. The American Oak is a species that can be very dominant, displacing native species. It is allowed to remain in the forest, but not dominant.

In early March, we planted saplings of tree species that contribute to forest development.

These machines are specially designed for forest management, have special tires and work carefully. With them, they can drop a tree very precisely and better spare other trees in the process

No, the forest remains forest. We only carry out management.

The thinning work is finished and the trails have been restored. The forest looks different. After thinning, there is trailing crown wood and outcropping paths along which the logs have been removed. The forest looks rough but will recover quickly in the spring. This obviously takes time. You will see that after the thinning there will be more undergrowth and more variation in the tree species composition. In several places, where small rejuvenation holes have been made, saplings have been planted. If necessary, watering will be provided to these plantings. In the summer (after the breeding season), pruning maintenance (branches) will be done along some forest paths.

In the first place because almost all the forest was planted at one time, so it consists of one species of one age. At the time, the species choice was mainly based on yield, much less or not at all on biodiversity. This is particularly well reflected in the many species of poor conifers in the forests of 't Harde Ven. By not intervening, the crown canopy closes and the shrub and herb layer and thus the biodiversity declines further. Thinning, on the other hand, gives the desired trees more space, keeping them vital and steering towards an uneven-aged, structurally rich and mixed forest, such as is already better present at the Son Mountains.
Finally, thinning also releases wood that is a valuable circular resource for construction and many other products. Proceeds from the wood are directly invested in much needed forest and nature development measures within the municipality of Son en Breugel.