Indigenous trees and shrubs

High genetic diversity in the planting material during afforestation or reforestation can only be achieved by ensuring that all native tree and shrub species have sufficient recognised basic material and that this basic material has a high genetic diversity, is adapted to local growth conditions and has a high adaptability. This is achieved by the construction of genetically variable seed orchards based on material present in the various natural indigenous populations that we still know in Flanders. Once the orchards produce seed, the harvest is followed up further. In anticipation of functional seed orchards, harvesting is stimulated and followed up in the natural populations themselves.