This project in Bovigny is a reforestation effort in Bovigny, Belgium (Parc naturel des deux Ourthes). It's replanting 7767 trees over 8 hectares after a bark beetle attack on the previous spruce stand. The planting includes sessile oak, Douglas fir, spruce and hybrid larch. The goal is to enhance biodiversity and leave room for natural regeneration. Planting is scheduled for 2024-2025. Plantation updates: - Planting date: The trees were planted between March 17 and April 30, 2025. - 7767 trees planted: The plantation included 742 sessile oaks, 2875 Douglas firs, 2875 Norway spruces and 1275 hybrid larches. The planting was carried out in lines, with species mixed along each row. - Monitoring summary: Weather conditions during planting were marked by a dry eastern wind, and rain is hoped for soon. - Maintenance: Future work includes manual clearing. Treatment against the pine weevil (hylobius) was applied to protect young trees.

The region: This reforestation project of 0.5 ha is located in Couthuin, in the municipality Héron, Belgium. Couthuin, part of the arrondissement of Huy, experienced mining and quarrying activity from the Middle Ages until the end of 1947. This region is very focused on agriculture, so we can find some forest there but to a lesser extent than the land used for agriculture. The project: This forest area has been invaded by ferns and the natural regeneration of a forest is almost absent. Without intervention, the situation will not improve and trees will not be able to develop properly. That's why in the fall of 2023, we were to plant 800 new trees: 600 hornbeams and 200 chestnut trees. The goal is to restore the forest cover in this area. The hardwood tree species must diversify and help in the fight against climate change. Timeframe: Preparation of the land: Summer 2023 Planned planting: Autumn 2023 Planned follow-up: game protection 2023 and clearings and trimming in the years after Details: Altitude (m): 180-190 Soil type: Loam with favorable natural drainage Composition of the previous stand: Scots pine Nursery: ArboPlants Plantation updates: - Planting date: The trees were planted in autumn 2023. - 800 trees planted: The plantation included 600 hornbeams and 200 chestnut trees, planted in lines. - Monitoring summary: The July 2025 follow‑up shows an 85% survival rate and an overall good health status. Game browsing affects around 15% of the trees. Bracken has a mixed influence: it can overtop young chestnut trees, but it also provides partial protection from browsing when seedlings remain under its cover. Chestnut trees show good vigour, while hornbeams display slower growth. - Maintenance: Manual and mechanical clearing has been carried out, including repeated removal of bracken to prevent it from overtopping the young trees too much.

The restoration project in Amblève is continuing and can be expanded to a total of 100,000 trees. Following last season’s interventions with 10,500 trees in 2023–2024 and 14,280 trees in 2024-2025, the same approach is being applied to strengthen forest resilience and diversity this season. The Amblève forest consists mainly of conifers, in particular spruce. At present, about 75% of the forest stands are spruce. Localized thinning helps prevent attacks on spruces that are weakened by competition for light. The objective is to gradually reduce the share of spruce to 50%. To achieve this, clear-cutting is avoided. Management is carried out through thinning and progressive canopy reduction, which irregularizes the stands and initiates assisted natural regeneration. Spruce requires a lot of light to grow well in its adult stage, which means little light reaches the forest floor. Natural regeneration is therefore limited, making external planting of young trees necessary. In the cleared patches, beech is planted. This species is well adapted to shaded conditions and is introduced at high density, as it tolerates competition well in its early years. This approach also protects the young trees against late frost and drought. In larger clearings, other species are introduced according to the conditions of each parcel. The long-term goal is to establish irregular stands with varied age classes, increasing resilience to unexpected events. The project takes place in a rural and agricultural region known for its extensive forest massifs and numerous trails, where hikers, riders and cyclists come to experience the rich nature around the Amblève river.