Veluwe makes way for deciduous trees to curb wildfires
Nature managers are planting willows, oaks and birches, among others, to slow the spread of fire.
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On the Veluwe, conifers are gradually making way for deciduous trees. Natuurmonumenten sees the planting as a measure to slow the spread of wildfires, alongside broader choices about forest management and fire safety.
Natuurmonumenten is planting crack willows, sessile oaks and birches in various places. The measure follows several wildfires in the area, including one at the military training ground near ’t Harde. According to forester Rinke Luijten, deciduous trees retain more moisture and fire generally spreads less quickly through them than through coniferous woodland.
The choice does not mean that deciduous trees are fireproof. According to the forest managers cited, the difference lies in characteristics such as the moisture content of leaves and the absence of large quantities of resin. The amount of dead wood, shrubs, wind and drought also determine how a fire develops.
The transition will be gradual. Conifers will not be removed everywhere immediately, because for the time being they help preserve the local forest climate for young trees. This gives the new trees time to grow larger before older pines and other conifers potentially disappear.
At some locations, the safety of recreational visitors also plays a role. Alongside a forest area beside a provincial road are holiday parks with room for around 5,000 guests in total. The road is an important evacuation route there, linking nature management and evacuation planning.
In guidelines for Natura 2000 management, the European Commission describes deciduous trees as less fire-prone than conifers in certain situations. At the same time, the document stresses that wildfires differ from one ecosystem to another and that management choices must be tailored to local conditions.
The Nationaal Instituut Publieke Veiligheid warns that wildfires are complex and that no single measure eliminates all risks. Alongside tree species, flammable vegetation, accessibility, early detection, firefighting capacity and the boundary between nature and built-up areas are important.
The Veluwe approach is therefore no guarantee against major fires, but a long-term choice to make the landscape less vulnerable. The effects will only become visible after years, while drought and extreme weather can increase the flammability of almost any forest.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Nature managers are planting deciduous trees in parts of the Veluwe.
- Deciduous trees are less fire-prone than conifers in certain circumstances.
- Wildfire risk is also linked to drought, wind, vegetation, accessibility and evacuation.
Left
Arguments The measure fits with a climate-adaptive government that must better protect nature, residents and recreational visitors. Investing in biodiversity and prevention is wiser than only repairing damage after each fire.
Values Collective protection, nature restoration and long-term planning.
Consequences More management and planting cost public money, but may limit damage and evacuations in the future.
Centre
Arguments A mixed forest can be sensible, but management should be assessed for each location. Tree species, firebreaks, accessibility and cooperation with safety regions belong in a single plan.
Values Practical feasibility, proportionality and expert management.
Consequences A gradual approach prevents new problems, but does not produce an immediately measurable safety result.
Right
Arguments Nature managers should focus primarily on safety, accessibility and the personal responsibility of visitors to the area. If interventions are necessary, they should be carried out in a targeted way and without broad bureaucratic obligations.
Values Safety, property rights and efficiency.
Consequences Fewer rules may enable faster management, but could also lead to fragmented choices between landowners.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The planting described and the fire-safety arguments are supported by Dutch and European sources. The article makes clear that tree species are only one part of wildfire policy.
- confirmed On the Veluwe, conifers are gradually being replaced by deciduous trees. — Reported by NOS and Omroep Gelderland. source
- confirmed Crack willows, sessile oaks and birches are being planted. — Mentioned in the report on the Veluwe. source
- confirmed Deciduous trees can slow the spread of fire. — Supported by the forest manager and European guidelines; the effect is context-dependent. source
- uncertain The measure prevents major wildfires. — The sources refer to risk reduction, not complete prevention. source
Editor's note
The planting, the gradual transformation and the relationship with wildfire risk have been confirmed. The measure may reduce the risk, but it is no guarantee against wildfires.Sources
- Vers geplante loofbomen moeten natuurbranden op Veluwe afremmen — NOS en Omroep Gelderland
- Natuurbranden — Nederlands Instituut Publieke Veiligheid
- Richtsnoeren voor Natura 2000 en klimaatverandering — Europese Commissie
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „veluwe natuurbrand”
- de Volkskrant — „veluwe natuurbrand”
- NU.nl — „veluwe natuurbrand”