First plantings for the forest of tomorrow

Monday 8 April saw the first plantings of the "Arboretums 125 years" project supported by the Royal Belgian Forest Society (SRFB). The aim of the project is to find solutions to the problems faced by several important tree species as a result of climate change.

Beech and spruce, for example, which together account for almost 40% of Wallonia's forest area, suffer from summer heatwaves and droughts. These changes make them particularly susceptible to attacks by insect pests such as the spruce bark beetle. Climatologists predict that extreme weather events will become increasingly frequent. The most sensitive species could decline.

Bringing tomorrow's most promising species to the forest

In order to maintain a diversified forest that fulfils all the functions attributed to it, it is important to diversify tree species and to introduce species that are more resistant to future climatic conditions into the foresters' palette.
This is the aim of the SRFB's project, the first phase of which will involve testing around fifteen new species under real conditions in a network of experimental plots throughout France. These plantations will be monitored over the long term, and in 20 to 30 years' time will enable us to assess the potential of the trees tested in terms of productivity, resistance to disease and pests, and resistance to extreme climatic conditions. As Philippe de Wouters, Director of the SRFB, points out, "this long, continuous monitoring will enable tomorrow's foresters to plant the most promising species with full knowledge of the facts".
While the SRFB coordinates the project and its implementation, it is supported by a Scientific Committee for the selection of species, the validation of protocols and the analysis of future results. The Scientific Committee is made up of researchers from universities and public forestry research institutes (INBO and DEMNA) as well as DNF (comptoir forestier). The project is also being developed in collaboration with forest owners, who are making their plots available.

What species for tomorrow's forests?

The plot at Bra-sur-Lienne (Lierneux) is the first to be planted as part of the project. Over an area of almost 2 hectares, Atlas cedars (from North Africa), Nordmann firs (from the Caucasus mountains) and Douglas firs (from California) will be planted. These species have been selected for their resistance to drought combined with good resistance to cold snaps, which will continue to be possible despite the expected changes in climate.
From next winter, the network will take shape across the country with the planting of around ten new plots of holm oak, downy oak, Corsican pine, etc. Planting will continue over the following two winters.
Native species will not be forgotten. In the case of beech, for example, which in addition to its silvicultural and economic value represents a natural and cultural heritage that should be maintained, species from southern Europe will be tested. The aim is to maintain the beech by introducing species from the south that are, a priori, more resistant to drought.

Would you also like to contribute to the forest of tomorrow?