Oudenburg, BELGIUM

Bee Forest

A bee friendly forest in Oudenburg.

By creating a bee-friendly forest we hope to create a landing space for pollinators.

Bee populations are diminishing rapidly and alarmingly. By creating a tiny forest of specific native trees that flower successionally, we can offer the bees an almost continual food source as well as their favoured trees for winter hibernation.

Forest Maker Nicolas de Brabandère

3,000

TREES

1,000

SQUARE METERS

NATIVE SPECIES

The site of Bee Forest in Oudenburg, Belgium

The pocket forest after 1 year growth

Forest Report : 1 Year

DATE: 12.09.2022

Survival Rate: 85-90%

Average of Tallest 3 Trees: 160cm

Bee Forest was planted on an old dune, hence this forest faced particularly significant challenges in its first year.

Despite the severe watering restrictions, we managed to water the forest three times during the drought. Still, the forest has been visibly affected by the heat and sun. That said, we can see that the damaged saplings are re-sprouting. The range in survival rate is connected to this; we need to wait until spring 2023 to really see how many saplings fully recover.

We can see the Elm (Ulmus minor) at 160cm tall; the species is known for being resilient to drought and harsh weather, and is thriving here.

The images are evidence of a Miyawaki forest showing immense resilience in the face of unprecedented climatic conditions. We foresee this forest continuing to grow and thrive, albeit at a slower rate than young forests that have not had to face the same challenges.

Elm (Ulmus minor) — tallest species

Re-sprouting saplings

Biodiversity Notes:

A couple of mushrooms have been observed - mushrooms are the fruit of underground fungal hyphae forming and a sign of important initial fungal colonisation in the soil. In addition, a rare sight to find wild Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) as well as the return of the blue butterfly (Lycaenidae).