Apeldoorn is known to many people for its beautiful trees. However, the importance of decaying and dead trees is less well known. In more and more places, you can see examples of dead wood being used deliberately. Because dead wood actually brings life back.
In the past, trees with dead branches were often removed entirely at an early stage. We are now a little more cautious in this regard. It is now known that this very phase of decay is extremely important for many different species that make use of dead wood. Of course, we deal with dangerous situations, but wherever possible, decaying trees are given a new lease of life.
Almost half of all forest species depend directly or indirectly on dead wood. These include fungi, ants, springtails, moths and butterflies, beetles, bugs and woodlice. These fungi and animals are an important food source for other animals. Because dead wood was virtually impossible to find in our forests and urban green spaces for a long time, many of these species have become rare. One of the best-known species that depends on dead wood is the stag beetle, an impressive and rare beetle which, fortunately, can be seen fairly regularly on the western side of Apeldoorn.
To ensure our parks remain diverse and future-proof, we carry out work on a regular basis. We try to mimic natural processes, such as the decay of a dying tree. When a tree dies and its branches break off, for example, this allows more sunlight to reach other plants, shrubs and trees, helping them to grow. A dying tree trunk is a perfect habitat for woodpeckers, squirrels, bats and all sorts of beetles. After many years, the trunk rots and gradually falls apart, ending up on the forest floor. The pieces continue to break down, and the nutrients are reabsorbed into the soil, which in turn serves as nourishment for young trees.
In some areas, we see that there is too little variation in tree species or in the age of the trees. This makes the trees more vulnerable to disease and reduces the value of the park for plants and animals. By allowing some trees to die, we can increase the amount of dead wood and ensure greater variation. We allow trees to die off by ‘girdling’ them, removing their branches or felling them. In some cases, the tree will start to grow again from the trunk or roots. What we do depends on the situation. Safety is always the top priority here.
The areas where we allow deadwood to develop are carefully selected and, where necessary, cordoned off with barriers. This is also the case in the Verzetsstrijderspark. By making the area around the dying trees inaccessible, we ensure safety. This creates a little more space for shrubs and brambles, which in turn provides a habitat for birds. In this way, dead wood fosters even more life.
Do you have a question? Or would you like more information?
Get in touch
