Former spruce plantation attacked by bark beetles in Nassogne

The Context

In Nassogne (Lesterny), a former spruce plantation was severely impacted by bark beetle attacks.
These pests caused massive dieback of the firs, leaving behind a weakened plot located on a steep south-facing slope.

Certain areas, difficult to mechanize due to the slope, were left for natural regeneration. Today, we observe the gradual establishment of birches, oaks, and Douglas firs, demonstrating a forest dynamic already underway.

The challenge: transform this health crisis into an opportunity for forest resilience.

Project objectives

• Planting period: March 2025.
• Survival rate: >86%.
• 324.00 tonnes of CO₂ sequestered over 30 years.

The site is considered limiting with low productivity, which requires an adapted choice of species and a cautious approach.

The implemented strategy

Rather than a monoculture, the choice was made for a highly mixed broadleaf and coniferous plantation, integrating species with complementary functions:

Coniferous species: 4 coniferous species constitute the reforestation: Cedar, Scots Pine, Corsican Pine, Calabrian Pine, to which must be added Douglas fir (present in natural regeneration)

Broadleaf species with high ecological value: 4 broadleaf species constitute the reforestation: Hornbeam, Linden, Wild Service Tree, Apple Tree, Pear Tree, to which must be added oak and birch (natural regeneration)

This diversity enables:

• Staggered production over time.
• Better resistance to climate stress.
• Varied food sources for wildlife (acorns, fruits, melliferous flowers).
• Enhanced biological activity in soils.

Oak, in particular, plays a central role in stimulating soil life and the ecological structure of the stand.

A biodiversity-focused project

Beyond forest restoration, this project enhances:

• Availability of fruits and acorns for wildlife
• Melliferous resources for pollinators
• Structural diversity (varied layers and ages)
• Soil stability on slopes

The presence of young natural regeneration (Douglas fir, birch, oak) is integrated into the design to create a living and evolving forest system.

A forest designed for tomorrow

The Nassogne reforestation illustrates a contemporary approach to forest management:
diversify, anticipate, stabilize, and allow space for natural dynamics.

In the face of health and climate crises, the response is not identical replacement, but the creation of richer, more mixed, and more resilient forest ecosystems.