In Aubange, PlantC supported the reforestation of 600 trees! In total, four species were planted.
Project Supported by
The Reforestation in Aubange in Detail
In Aubange, this is a reforestation project where PlantC is involved in supporting 600 trees over 0.5 hectares. Four species are planted: European Larch, Small-leaved Lime, Wild Service Tree, and Chestnut.
This combination of deciduous and coniferous species is part of a reforestation of a coniferous plot post-bark beetle.
Using a diversity of species is beneficial for avifauna (flowers, fruits, and acorns, food sources for birds, insects, and small mammals, for example). Consequently, when leaves fall, humus is generated, and root systems are complementary. This will also impact the recycling of deep elements, the biological activity of the soil, the fixation and structuring of the soil.
- Planting period: February 2023.
- Survival rate: over 80%. The owner had to replant due to rubbing by roe deer.
- 53.90 tonnes of CO2 sequestered over 30 years.
Project conducted in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society of Belgium.
Visit to the Aubange Plot in 2025
This half-hectare plot was planted in winter 2023. We highlight the care the owner has given to his plantation. Very regularly, he maintained it by passing between the planting rows with his tractor equipped with a flail mower to limit weed pressure on the young plants. This also demonstrates the owner’s deep knowledge of silvicultural management, as larch absolutely cannot tolerate lateral competition.
The choice of species is resolutely forward-looking. Indeed, we have species that will adapt well to the future climate, such as the Small-leaved Lime and the Wild Service Tree. Chestnut and European Larch are more demanding in terms of water supply, which the terrain here allows.
A Brief Overview of the Species:
- The larch. Larch is particularly valued for its rapid growth, productivity, and quality timber. It is, however, quite sensitive to drought, wind, and competitive effects. Therefore, it is always necessary to monitor brambles, ferns, or other vegetation that could prevent it from growing as it should!
- The wild service tree. A tree or shrub 15-20 m tall, it can reach 30 meters in height in forests. Melliferous, entomophilous, its fruits are appreciated by birds and other animals like the badger, which helps disseminate the tree’s seeds by eating them.
- The chestnut tree. A true biodiversity hotspot, this tree can grow up to 30-35 meters tall. It quickly provides quality timber, provided it is well managed. Its scarlet yellow flowers, called catkins, are visible during June and illuminate the forest.
- The small-leaved lime. This tree can grow up to 30-35 meters tall and is a true ally for foresters in the context of climate change. Although it is generally shunned in industry because the wood is not durable, lime can be perfectly suitable for furniture, interior fittings, or even wooden toys.
The owner is committed to developing silviculture aimed at mixing species so that his forest is more resilient to the climate changes we are currently experiencing. In his various plots, there are sometimes mixtures between stands and between species within the stands.
