Hawthorn stove of winter oak on Klaverberg

Between the Municipal Airport Genk-Zwartberg and the coal dumps of Waterschei lies the heath of Opglabbekerzavel with the Klaverberg. On the Klaverberg there are a number of winter oak coppices (Quercus petraea) that are exceptional because they are made from indigenous plant material. Therefore, the coppices have significant scientific value. It is estimated that these enormous coppices are over 800 years old and have thus survived the Little Ice Age (15th-19th century). The fact that only winter oaks have grown into these huge coppices and not summer oaks is thanks to the old farmers who operated according to the principle "Winter oaks produce fewer acorns so save the summer oaks and cut the winter oaks." With trunk circumferences reaching up to 17 meters, these coppices are among the largest in Limburg. This specimen has a trunk circumference of just under 8.5 meters.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen