Pierre Leriche and his son Simon decided several years ago to undertake an agroecology project on their farm located in Tenneville, notably to contribute to the ecological network of the region.
An entire ecosystem has already been created; they have dug ponds, planted hedges, an orchard, and they even decided to leave certain meadows as “natural meadows.” This means that the animals will graze these plots quite late in the year. PlantC has become involved in this wonderful family project with the aim of planting a hedge to protect the livestock from gusts of wind while providing them with shade.
The Leriche family’s land is already well-equipped with ecological features. They understood that today’s and tomorrow’s challenges would not be solved with pesticides, but rather by improving the environment and making it more welcoming for the surrounding biodiversity.
They also carefully planned their project by digging ponds in originally open and wet areas that tended to close up, by promoting late grazing on sloping meadows with shallower soil depths, and by planting an orchard behind their house. Nevertheless, we were able to identify a few areas where it was still possible to improve the ecological network.
The planting project includes two single-row hedges, 310 meters and 153 meters long respectively.
These nectar-rich and nourishing hedges will also serve as a habitat for local wildlife, including insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals, while providing future shade for livestock and thus reducing stress during drought periods.
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At the heart of the Leriche farm’s ecological networkLearn more
The Hedge: An Ecological Corridor Through Tenneville
Meeting numerous eligibility criteria for its Takecare sustainability program, the company Trafic chose to co-finance the 453 meters of hedge.
In February 2025, the linear planting was carried out after periods of rain and frost, and following the advice of the PlantC team, the planter cleared the ground to facilitate the implementation of the hedge.
Updates on the Planting
We visited the plantation during the spring to assess the quality of the work provided by the planter and to see the final result on site with Pierre and Simon.
Hedge
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Planting / installation period2024
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Number of trees925
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Area926 m²
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Meters of hedge463 m
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Carbon34.94 T of carbon sequestered over 20 years
List of selected species
| Hawthorn | |
|---|---|
| Guelder Rose | |
| Hornbeam | |
| Wayfaring tree | |
| Hazel | |
| Bloodtwig Dogwood |
When we addressed the chapter “Biodiversity” as part of our Take Care program, the team’s desire to take concrete local action quickly became apparent.
We then found in PlantC an attentive and committed partner, capable of offering us a solution that is both professional and has a strong impact on biodiversity.
Thanks to the network of farmers and market gardeners spread throughout Belgium, we will be able to develop a project near each of our stores by 2030.
Our decision to collaborate with Plant C is also based on the rigorous approach to selecting its partners: plantations are chosen according to the local biotope, implemented with care, and are subject to regular monitoring.
We are delighted with this collaboration, enriched throughout the year by clear information and constant visibility on current and upcoming projects.
