Brestbosch

The Brestbosch is a nature reserve located west of Boxmeer. It is owned by the Brabants Landschap Foundation and covers an area of 163 hectares. Approximately 50 hectares are planted with pedunculate oak and 10 hectares with Scots pine. The pine planting dates back to the 1930s.
Originally, this was a heath and peat area, but during the 19th century it was reclaimed, being converted into a planting of oak coppice. To facilitate the removal of the coppice wood, long, straight avenues were created. Besides coppice wood, the forest was also a supplier of oak bark for tanning, which was used in tanneries. The coppice plantations were interspersed with pieces of agricultural land. There are still a few remnants of heathland to be found. Around 1875, the market for coppice wood as fuel collapsed, as it was replaced by coal.

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