Transformation management

Large parts of the Vagevuurbos and Lippensgoed consisted of coniferous wood at the time of purchase. Stands of Scots pine, Corsican pine, larch, and Douglas fir of equal age and low diversity dominated the forest. Naturally, it is primarily summer oak-birch forest or oak-beech forest that occurs here. The Vagevuurbossen are part of the European Natura 2000 network. It is a European obligation to maintain and expand the natural biotopes. Forest management aims for a gradual increase in the proportion of native broadleaf forest. In the Vagevuurbos, exotics such as rhododendron are being pushed back, and through thinning in the conifers, there is more light penetration. On clearings, summer oak, rough birch, holly, beech, wild service tree, and blackthorn are germinating. As a result, a forest structure with more tree and shrub layers and greater biological diversity is created. In the middle of the stands, where there is no danger to walkers, even dead trees are preserved because they provide added value for fungi, beetles, bats, woodpeckers, and many other organisms. The Vagevuurbossen are among the few forests in Flanders where pine martens have a stable presence.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos