Reforestation in Meix

What is happening in Meix?

This is a reforestation project where PlantC is involved in supporting 1,050 trees. Three species are planted:

Silver Birch
Sessile Oak
Sycamore Maple

This combination consists of deciduous species and 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). When leaves fall, humus is generated, and root systems are complementary. This will impact the recycling of deep elements, the biological activity of the soil, the fixation and structuring of the soil.

Planting period: November 2022.
Survival rate verification ongoing.
55.3 tons of CO₂ sequestered over 30 years.

Project conducted in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society of Belgium.

Reforestation in Meix
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Visit to the Meix plot in 2023

This plantation is located in the bottom of a valley, along a watercourse in Meix-devant-Virton. Furthermore, it is in a Natura 2000 zone.

After a bark beetle outbreak that devastated the spruces on the plot, the owner could no longer replant coniferous species. On the one hand, because of the stricter forest code which requires conifers to be at least 12m from watercourses, and on the other hand, due to the Natura 2000 regulation which largely favors deciduous species over coniferous species.

The owner therefore chose to plant sessile oak, sycamore maple, and silver birch. Respectively, a slow-growing species, a medium-growing species, and a fast-growing species which, among other things, helps to protect the other saplings.

Despite the protective stakes placed on each sapling, we observed that the trees had been extensively browsed by game. Notably roe deer and red deer.

The owner will therefore replant in the autumn mainly with sessile oak and install plastic protective sleeves with a stake to ensure the proper growth of the saplings.