Koggenland plants 300 trees to boost green spaces and combat climate effects
Residents of Koggenland will enjoy cooler summers and cleaner air as the municipality plants over 300 new trees. The initiative focuses on native species and sustainable practices to ensure long-term growth and resilience against diseases.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of trees planted | Over 300 |
| Location | Koggenland, Noord-Holland |
| Tree species | Native species: elms, oaks, willows, maples, alders |
| Planting strategy | Mixed species to reduce disease risk; max 5 of the same species together |
| Tree age at planting | 7 years (nursery-grown, disease-resistant) |
| Maintenance | Compost and mulch for root growth and moisture retention |
| Sustainable materials | Compostable tree ties from Hakvoort Boomband, De Goorn |
| Municipality goal | Plant two trees for every one cut down |
The municipality of Koggenland is responsible for urban planning and environmental management within its jurisdiction. This includes maintaining green spaces, promoting biodiversity, and implementing sustainable practices to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Read the full translated article below
Municipality invests in new trees
The municipality of Koggenland has planted over 300 new trees in recent months. By carefully selecting locations, species, and maintenance, the municipality is working towards a greener and more future-proof landscape—and it’s already making a visible difference.
Herman Groot, foreman of the outdoor services team, has parked his van along the side of the Bobeldijk road. “Look here,” he says, pointing to a row of newly planted trees. “We plant trees where the verge is wide enough.” The absence of trees on the opposite side of the road is due to the nearby railway tracks; falling branches could damage the overhead lines.
According to Groot, every planting project is carefully tailored to its surroundings. The outdoor services team doesn’t make decisions hastily. “Every location requires a suitable solution.”
Native species
The municipality deliberately chooses native tree species for rural areas. “These are species that have been present in this region since the Ice Age,” Groot explains. “Non-native species often don’t survive, especially with the constant wind here. They just get blown apart.” By opting for trees that naturally thrive in the region, the municipality increases the chances that the planting will grow healthily and last for years to come.
In the past, streets and avenues were often lined with a single tree species. “It looked stately, long rows of the same species one after another,” Groot says. “But if one tree gets sick, the others are likely to follow. That’s why we now choose a mix of trees, such as elms, oaks, willows, maples, and alders. No more than five of the same species next to each other. With different species, the risk of diseases spreading is much lower.”
Strong trees from the nursery
To further reduce the risk of pests, the municipality also works with specially cultivated trees that are resistant to diseases. “In the nursery, they’re tested,” Groot explains. “The trees that prove resistant to diseases are then grown on. After seven years, they’re ready to be planted.”
But the work doesn’t stop at planting. Groot bends down by a young tree and sticks his hand into the soil. “We use a mix of compost and different types of soil so the roots can grow well. The mulch layer on top retains moisture. Proper maintenance means these trees can live to be eighty or ninety years old.”
Natural air conditioning
Groot says the focus on greening serves multiple purposes: “Trees promote biodiversity, provide oxygen, filter harmful gases, and offer cooling in the summer. They’re basically natural air conditioners.”
“Trees do so much for us. That’s why our goal is: for every tree we cut down, we plant two in its place.”
Sustainable tree ties
A large portion of the trees have been secured with sustainable, compostable tree ties, produced by Hakvoort Boomband from De Goorn.