Reforestation in Etalle

This is an innovative reforestation of southern species on dry soil in Etalle: Planting of 1,800 trees over 1.2 hectares.

Three species are present:

800 Atlas Cedars (Cedrus atlantica)
800 Downy Oaks (Quercus pubescens)
200 Sessile Oaks (Quercus petraea)

Downy oaks are capable of sheltering the fauna and flora associated with native oak forests and offer hope for maintaining this biodiversity in the most pessimistic climate scenarios where the sessile oak would be endangered. The cedar, for its part, is interesting for several bird species.

Planting period: Autumn 2021
The survival rate was checked in autumn 2022.
PEFC-certified forest management.
152.15 tonnes of CO₂ sequestered over 30 years.

Project carried out in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society of Belgium.

Reforestation in Etalle
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Visit to the plot in 2023

A look back at our visit on May 26, 2023!

This is probably one of the most unique sites we have had the opportunity to observe. Firstly, due to the extremely sandy nature of its soil. Also by the diversity of hydrological facies, with wetlands near a historic pond, and others that are extremely dry.

The owner carries out almost all the work himself (plantings, clearings, etc.).

It is indeed in the zones arid that the plantings of cedar, sessile oak, and downy oak took place.

And it must be acknowledged that, at present, the results are rather modest! While the young cedars seem to be holding up well, most of the oaks did not withstand the dry summer of 2022. Still vigorous at the beginning of summer, August 2022 proved fatal for them.

In a changing climate, foresters must now contend with this type of hazard and… persevere! Work therefore continues on this plot, in collaboration with the Company