Hoeilaart (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hoeilaart’s municipal services will remove 11 beech trees from Hoeilaart Park due to safety concerns, citing risks posed by their deteriorating condition.
There, a car was struck by a large branch a few weeks ago. Thankfully, no one was hurt despite the automobile being severely damaged.
“The park will look different, but we have no choice,”
says Alderman Joris Pijpen (Team 1560).
In Hoeilaart Park, Belgium, a few weeks ago, a large branch fell straight upon an automobile.
“The car was badly damaged, but fortunately no one was injured,”
said the alderman for Green Services and Cleanliness.
“We must, of course, prevent this from happening again. That’s why we, together with the forest ranger, decided to fell 11 beech trees. This will be done before the Grape Festival, so that everyone can feel safe.”
It’s no coincidence that these trees are beech trees.
“These trees struggle greatly with the heat,”
says the alderman.
“Beech trees have a very shallow root system. That’s why they become very weak during hot spells. Heavy branches or even entire trees can fall during a strong gust of wind. You don’t want that hitting your head, of course.”
It might not stop at 11 trees.
“There will be a second inspection in 2026. Then we might have to cut down more trees. That’s not an easy decision, because our park forest will look different. Unfortunately, we have no choice. This does give us the opportunity to plant new trees that can withstand the heat. That’s important for the future.”
What specific safety concerns led Hoeilaart to decide on removing these beech trees?
The specific safety concerns that typically lead to the decision to remove beech trees, including likely the case in Hoeilaart Park, involve structural instability due to internal decay, limb loss, or damage that makes the trees hazardous. For example, a historic Weeping Beech tree was removed after it lost a major crown limb exposing internal decay, making it unsafe, especially when located near public areas or roads.
Similar concerns include the risk that compromised beech trees could fall and cause injury, damage property, or present public safety risks when trees are weakened by decay or storms.
