Haacht (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Starting Monday, Aug 18, 2025, Natuurpunt Haacht will cut American oaks in Haachts Broek (160 ha) over 2 hectares. Bernard Lemaitre says removal restores native plants, wildlife, and forest balance.
As VRT News reported, starting Monday, Aug 18, 2025, teams will begin cutting down a large number of American oak trees in Haacht’s Haachts Broek nature reserve, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Bernard Lemaitre from Natuurpunt Haacht says the trees have spread in a large area where almost no birds, flowers, or insects are found in the affected areas.
He mentioned that the lack of wildlife is a big concern because healthy forests need a mix of plants and animals to survive. Even though the Haachts Broek covers about 160 hectares, the removal will target only 2 hectares for now.
The trees chosen for cutting are spread across different spots in the reserve. Lemaitre warns that if nothing is done, American oaks could take over the entire forest. In a few hundred years, the forest might have nothing but American oaks.
What will Natuurpunt Haacht’s oak removal do in Haacht’s Broek?
Researchers say the work is necessary to protect native species and stop the forest from being dominated by a single non-native tree. Natuurpunt Haacht already has several plans ready to replace the American oaks once the removal is finished. The felling work is expected to last about 2 months.
“I understand it seems strange to cut down so many trees, even if you know it’s an invasive species,”
Lemaitre explains.
“Yet, in the long run, it’s better. If we plant new, native species, they will attract many other organisms and revitalise the forest.”
Bernard Lemaitre explains that in 2 parts of the Haachts Broek, the forest is almost completely made up of American oaks. In these areas, every tree will be cut down. In other sections, American oaks grow alongside other tree species. There, the team will carefully choose which trees to remove and which to leave standing to keep the forest balanced and healthy.
“It will be a mix of beeches, hornbeams, summer oaks, and elms,”
says Lemaitre.
“The new trees will be planted sometime next year.”
Some parts of the nature reserve will be closed to visitors while the work is carried out. The felled trees will not be wasted. A forestry specialist will process the wood. Smaller branches will be chopped up and sent to power plants to be used as energy.
“The slightly thicker side branches will serve as firewood,”
Lemaitre adds.
“The larger trees can be used to make planks.”
Haachts Broek is an important nature reserve in Haacht. It covers about 160 hectares of forest, wetlands, and meadows. Over time, American oaks have spread and taken over parts of the forest. The American oak, also called the red oak, comes from the eastern United States. It was brought to Europe in the 19th century as a decorative tree. Red oaks can grow very tall, up to 35 meters, and their seeds spread easily.
These trees are invasive in Europe. They grow fast and take over forests, pushing out native plants. They are also bad for wildlife. One American oak only supports about 20 insect species, while a native European oak can support 400 or more. This makes it hard for birds and other animals to survive.
