Approach to the row of trees on Allard Kwastweg near Pieterburen
The water board maintains and manages a row of ash trees along the Allard Kwastweg near Pieterburen, stretching over a length of 5.5 km. This row of trees is part of our cultural heritage. For a number of years now, we have seen many branches break off and trees blow over during the storm season. The situation along the road is no longer safe in such conditions. We are therefore forced to cut down some of the trees and plant new ones in their place.
The water board has submitted an exemption for this plan to the province of Groningen. We expect this exemption to be granted shortly.
What steps have we taken?
The water board has asked Stichting Landschapsbeheer Groningen (Groningen Landscape Management Foundation) to inventory the trees. This inventory shows that, of the 389 trees in the row, 154 are dead or severely affected by ash dieback. This disease cannot be treated; a tree that is affected will die in the long term regardless.
In addition to the tree inventory, an ecological 'quick scan' was also carried out. This showed that there are no protected plant and animal species in the vicinity of the row of trees. No nests or roosts of birds that are present year-round were found either. However, the row of trees does serve an important function as a flight path for bats. We are therefore taking this into account in our plan.
What is the plan?
The 154 dead or severely damaged trees will be felled. Each tree will be immediately replaced by a new tree. The new trees are a mix of different species. In order to minimise the impact on the flight path for bats, slightly larger trees are being planted. At two locations, five trees in a row will be felled. At these locations, an even larger tree will be planted in the middle. In addition, a large number of trees that are still in reasonable condition will be pruned. This pruning will ensure that these trees can remain standing for another five to eight years. That is long enough for the new trees to grow and for the flight path for bats to be maintained.
We are also doing something extra: planting shrubs between the trees. The more varieties of trees and shrubs there are, the greater the biodiversity. Bat boxes will also be placed on some of the trees that are being left standing.
When will the work take place?
We are waiting for the exemption from the province of Groningen. As things stand at present, we will start restoring the row of trees in early 2023. The work must be completed by the end of March 2023.