In Meix-dvt-Virton, PlantC supported the reforestation of 1,875 trees! In total, three species were planted.
Project Supported by
The Reforestation of Meix-dvt-Virton in Detail
In Meix-dvt-Virton, this is a reforestation project where PlantC supports 1,875 trees over 0.6 hectares. Three species are planted: sessile oak, Scots pine, and Corsican pine.
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: January 2024.
- Survival rate: over 95%.
- 104.02 tonnes of CO2 sequestered over 30 years.
Project conducted in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society of Belgium.
Visit to the Meix-dvt-Virton Plot in 2025
The owners, seeing the bark beetle increasingly impacting their stand, took the initiative to cut and harvest the existing spruce stand. They then decided to replant via the SRFB x PlantC support program, and therefore first rotary-mulched the plot to allow replanting, and then replanted.
Unfortunately, African swine fever (a disease affecting wild boar) prohibited them from passing through or accessing their plot to prevent further spread of the disease. It was therefore impossible to provide proper maintenance for the planting, and it quickly became completely overgrown.
Once the disease was contained, the owners chose to take back control of the planting by milling strips and replanting with sessile oak and Corsican pine.
Since then, with careful monitoring by neighbors, the planting is doing very well and shows fabulous growth!
The choice of species primarily favors production, with a predominance of conifers adapted to the Ardennes context. This is a judicious choice, as species like pine and oak are real assets in this context of climate change.
A Brief Overview of the Species:
- Scots pine, also known as common pine, is a widespread species in Europe and well adapted to difficult conditions: it tolerates cold, poor and dry soils, and even grows at high altitudes. It is recognizable by its orange bark on the upper part of the trunk. Its wood is used for construction, pallets, and posts.
- Corsican pine is a subspecies of black pine native to the Corsican mountains. It is valued for its straight habit, longevity, and quality wood, which is dense and durable. More demanding than Scots pine, it prefers mild mountain climates and well-drained soils. It is often planted for long-term forestry production.
- Sessile oak, also known as durmast oak, is an emblematic forest species in Europe. It differs from pedunculate oak by its acorns, which are attached directly to the twigs (without a peduncle). It thrives in rather dry and well-drained soils, often in hilly or undulating terrain. Robust and durable, its wood is highly sought after for timber framing, barrels, and furniture. It is a valuable species in silviculture, capable of resisting moderate droughts well and playing an important role in mixed forests.
It was a lovely rainy visit during July 2025! We’ll see you soon for new forest adventures!
