Staatsbosbeheer not only replenishes, but also cuts down forest. That policy has come up in recent years regular criticismespecially from the locals. Last winter, around 400,000 trees also disappeared.
Two million trees a year
Winter is traditionally the best planting season. It is not just about new forest: part of the planting replaces sick forest or is planted with regular forest maintenance.
According to Harrie Hekhuis of Staatsbosbeheer, 70 hectares of new forest last winter. 200 hectares are planned for the coming winter: an area of two square kilometers. After that, 500 hectares of new forest are planted every year, more than two million trees per year. Ultimately, Staatsbosbeheer wants to build 5,000 hectares of new forest.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Fisheries also has major plans. The preliminary ‘Forests Strategy’ published earlier this year shows that a total of 37,000 hectares of new forest will be sought over the next ten years. That is a larger area than the municipality of Rotterdam.
‘Every Dutch person will notice this’
It concerns so much forest that every province has to work with it. “Hopefully every Dutch person will notice something about this, for example in the form of more forests to walk in,” says Hekhuis. But even though the criticism of cutting down forests may go quiet, massive planting is likely to spark new discussions. For example about the use of space.
For example, the province of North Holland already anticipates the necessary problems. It will still be going within the current nature reserves, but it will be a lot more difficult outside that, says Deputy Esther Rommel. “We are a province with an open landscape, with habitats for meadow birds. In those areas we have to protect our birds, such as the godwit, our lapwings and oystercatchers.”
Exotics in the forest
The introduction of new varieties is also sensitive and must be done carefully, says Hekhuis. “We mainly work with European species, such as the Norwegian maple from Central Europe. The alder, a ‘brother’ of the Dutch rowan, is also a tree from southern regions that is more drought-resistant.” The walnut tree, hitherto only used in gardens and parks, is also planted in forests for the first time.
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