Project Supported by

300 meters of hedges in Hoegaarden

This is a planting of 300 meters of single-row hedge in Hoegaarden, or 428 plants. Located in the Flemish agricultural plain, the hedge will play a crucial role in the ecological network of the area.

A meaningful project!

Robert Evrard, farmer
Robert Evrard, farmer in Hoegaarden.

Robert cultivates beets, rapeseed, cereals, chicory, malting barley, corn, … However, for 15 years now, he has been adopting conservation agriculture practices (no-till, in particular). It is logical to continue this momentum: to turn towards alternative agriculture, in favor of the environment, soil quality, and water.

Description of the hedge in Hoegaarden

The species planted:

  • Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
  • Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
  • Field Maples (Acer Campestre)
  • Common Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus)
  • Hazel (Corylus avellana)
  • Spindle trees (Euonymus europaeus)
  • Guelder Roses (Viburnum opulus)

The planting took place on December 16, 2022. The soil was previously prepared by Robert to facilitate planting with a hoe-axe.

Plot before planting

At the foot of this hedge, wood chips (BRF) are used as mulch to help the hedge plants grow while limiting competition from herbaceous species in the first 3 years of the hedge. This helps maintain some moisture in the soil. This is essential in the current context of global warming where springs and summers experience extreme temperatures.

As with many of our projects, the objectives are as follows:

  • to recreate shelter, food and movement corridors for the wildlife of the agricultural plain.
  • to combat soil erosion.
  • promote the protection of crops from climatic hazards (agroforestry schemes that promote water runoff, anti-erosion efforts, with a shading function and, to some extent, a windbreak).
  • the hedge helps sequester carbon in the soil by 40.91 tons of CO2 over 20 years.
Before
After

What are the updates since planting?

The planting carried out in winter 2022 continues to grow. The hedge has come a long way. It is worth noting that it was enjoyed by local herbivores. The mulching was applied by Robert. Vigilance remains necessary regarding high temperatures. We know that the hedge is in good hands!

In April 2025, we returned to the site to re-evaluate the plant recovery. It was observed that the recovery rate was over 90% and the average plant size was approximately 1.2m. This was despite vandalism observed on the green infrastructure, which was reported to us by Robert. Miscanthus-based mulch will be used this year.

Hedge

  • Planting / installation period
    2022
  • Number of trees
    428
  • Meters of hedge
    300 m
  • Carbon
    40.91 T of carbon sequestered over 20 years

List of selected species

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Field Maple (Acer Campestre)
Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
European Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)