In addition to his work at WUR and the Von Gimborn Arboretum, Leo Goudschade is also active at the ‘Climate Forest inspiration’ arboretum in Wageningen.

Arboretum Oostereng is not officially a demo site of LIFE Climate Forest, but with its demo route the arboretum does offer plenty of inspiration for forest managers and owners who want to work on climate-smart forest management. In this special piece of forest in Wageningen (11 hectares), everyone is welcome to see with their own eyes how around 600 different types of trees and shrubs ‘do’ on poor sandy soils.

LIFE Climate Forest-partner Marrie Hoedelmans visited Arboretum Oostereng in Wageningen on November 21, 2024. As early as 1911, the famous landscape architect Leonard Springer established an Arboretum here with special trees from all over the world. After the Second World War, Staatsbosbeheer (project partner within LIFE Climate Forest) bought the land and again planted a number of special trees. Then the entire area was left alone for a long time.

Caucasian firs.

Leo Goudzwart is currently chairman of the foundation and he coordinates the work of the 30 active volunteers who maintain the arboretum, build paths and plant new species. The arboretum now has more than 600 different shrubs and tree species. There are old specimens from the time when the original arboretum was created (over 100 years ago) and there are only recently planted young trees.

“Arboretum Oostereng aims to preserve or restore the old trees, the ideas of the former owners, the design of landscape architect Springer and the former learning function for students and the public as much as possible. We are also committed to preserving special trees and tree groups and making them visible again. And that certainly includes trees that are interesting for climate-smart forest management.”

“For example, we have two Abies test gardens here with about six silver fir species, including the Greek silver fir, which is now found almost nowhere else. These silver fir species are interesting with a view to climate change. You see that many Norway spruces are currently dying due to the drought. This has been going on since 2018 and involves thousands of hectares throughout Europe. Now you can see here in the arboretum that those silver firs do well on dry sandy soils during the longer dry periods that we have had in recent years. They are probably sufficiently drought-resistant to keep up with climate change. We also have several Abies Nordmanniana – or Caucasian silver firs – and they can withstand drought very well. In the younger specimens you can see the needles up close and in the large specimens you can really see the potential.”

Tree hazel.

“In addition to the silver firs, we have more species in the arboretum that are interesting in the context of climate change. Both conifers and deciduous trees that have sometimes been there longer or have been planted quite recently. Our site contains a complete list of species that can be seen here and I am also working on a ‘demo route for alternative tree species’. That route will be ready around February 2025 and then forest managers and other visitors who are involved in climate-smart forest management can take a very targeted walk along the tree species present that are interesting at that time.”

“I think it is important to show alternative tree species, because many tree species are now dying in the Netherlands. The alternative tree species are not only there as a replacement, but also to provide more variation in the Dutch forests. This of course also in the context of risk spreading. I also notice the consequences of climate change in the forest. A number of species are really declining. More trees die, their vitality declines, they become smaller… you see it happening. Larch trees and Norway spruce in particular are now having a hard time.”

Sweet chestnut.

“In addition to silver firs, there are more good alternatives. The tree hazel is very interesting. We have the highest in the Netherlands here and you can already see the tree hazel in more places in normal forests. The field maple is also a nice alternative, as are the coast redwood and the sweet chestnut. You see all those species here.”

“The serviceberry is also a good example. It can withstand drought well and provides rich litter, which is also good for the soil. The serviceberry is already fairly well known among forest managers, but we also have species that are less known. There are also a number of elm species that almost no one knows, but that are doing well. Consider, for example, the Japanese elm. It does well, but does not grow very large on sandy soils. You can experience that here and then it can be a conscious choice to include the species.”

Cherry bark elm.

“It just depends on what a forest manager is looking for. A nice species for filler wood is, for example, the forest willow. That’s one of my personal favorites. It is not an interesting species for wood production, but if you are looking for a species that is valuable in the context of biodiversity and enriching the soil… then the forest willow is very interesting. And sometimes you have to experience a species with your own eyes. One of our goals is to build a broad collection with which we can show professionals and the public what is available. As a visitor you will immediately see many different species together and get all kinds of ideas for your own forest, street or park. With the demo route we can also show in one lap that there are still plenty of tree species that are climate-resistant and can do well on our high, dry sandy soils.”

Curious about that ‘Climate Forest-proof’ route? The demo route will be on the Arboretum Oostereng site around February and there will of course also be a direct link on the LIFE Climate Forest site.