Forests
Vast coniferous forests and impressive park forests
The Grenspark is characterised by many extensive and relatively young forests. Especially on the Dutch side, large coniferous forests can be found, but also beautiful park forests are to be found here. Read more about the flora and fauna in the forest area of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide below.
The emergence of production forests
Many of the forests in the Grenspark were created in the nineteenth century. Back then, many heathlands were sold to private individuals who planted tree species there. They did so because these plants survived well on the poor heathland soil and as a source of income: the trees soon provided good wood which they sold to industry. As fuel, for instance, but also as struts for the coal mines' galleries. In Ossendrecht and Putte, Scots pine, Corsican pine and maritime pine grew abundantly for this reason. Even today, a number of production forests can be found in the area.
More natural forest image
The beautiful old beech avenues of park forest Ravenhof-Moretusbos and of some estates in and around the area are not for felling, but for enjoying. The imposing beeches and dense vegetation of rhododendrons combine to create a picturesque scene. In many forests of the Grenspark, the aim is to create a more natural forest scene, in which the human hand is less visible. But how do you tackle this? In certain places, for instance, the necessary thinnings spare the hardwood compared to the conifers. And by creating clearings in the forest, we provide more growth space for a richer herb and shrub layer. In this way, exotic species are controlled more often, increasing growth opportunities for native shrubs and trees. On the contrary, dead wood is removed less often: many organisms in the forest depend on it.
MTB News from the park
MONA News from the park
Flora
From pines to deciduous trees and from blueberries to various mushrooms: in the forests of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide you will discover a diversity of flora. We list them for you.
Identifying pines
The native Scots pine and the exotic Corsican pine and maritime pine play the main role in the forests of the Grenspark. How can you tell them apart? The maritime pine has remarkably long, stiff grey-green needles, but even more striking are the tree's large shiny brown cones. The Corsican pine also has grey-green needles. These are stout, but not as long as those of the maritime pine. The cones of this pine are yellow-brown in colour. However, what is most striking about this tree is its dark, black-brown trunk. Finally, the Scots pine can be recognised by its reddish-brown branches and upper trunk. Its blue-green needles are short, as are its grey-brown cones.
Deciduous trees, berries and mushrooms
In the older forests of the Grenspark - the forests that were not planted as production forests - native hardwood can be found. These are trees such as birch, pedunculate oak, spruce and rowan. In the park forest, Scots pine, pedunculate oak and beech stand side by side, forming a nice mix. After the refurbishment in 1997, several trees were uprooted and weedy plants removed, creating more open spaces. In those clearings - and in the undergrowth of the park forest - we find birch, spork, rowan, as well as holly and bramble. Along the banks (of Ravenhofbeek), you see other vegetation, with double-leaf and broad and narrow spiny fern. The herbaceous layer consists mainly of arrowstraw or bentworm, with heather in the larger forest clearings. And if you're lucky you'll come across blueberries here in summer or autumn. In autumn, look for mushrooms, which abound in the woods. Do you recognise the species? You'll find porcelain mushroom, vomit russula, amathi mushroom, oak leaf mushroom and tundra mushroom on old, dead trees.
Fauna
Did you know that no fewer than five species of woodpecker can be found in the Grenspark and that you have a great chance of spotting owls here? So it is not surprising that Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide is designated as a Birds Directive area. Read more about the wealth of fauna in the forests of the Grenspark below.
Birds Directive area
Under Natura 2000, the entire Grenspark is designated not only as a Habitats Directive area, but also as a Birds Directive area. A number of bird species are particularly tied to the forest, such as the great spotted woodpecker and black woodpecker. Besides the black woodpecker, four more woodpecker species can be spotted: the green woodpecker, and the lesser, middle and great spotted woodpecker. Owls are also among the permanent residents of the forests. Especially in the evening, you have a chance of spotting the tawny owl, which can be found in both deciduous and coniferous forests. The long-eared owl is slightly smaller and can be recognised by its ear tufts and orange-yellow eyes. The imposing eagle owl is making remarkable progress in the Grenspark as elsewhere, but spotting them remains a challenge. The males' typical call is sometimes very short and the sound they produce can only be heard from a great distance on windless evenings or nights. Other birds of prey that can be seen here include the goshawk, buzzard and sparrow hawk. Also among the songbirds we find typical inhabitants of the pine forest, such as crested tit, black tit, pied flycatcher, collared redstart and warbler.
Specifically, the old avenue trees in the park woods are important for other flyers: the redshank bat, dwarf bat, long-eared bat and common big-eared bat, for example. Birds that like to nest here are the nuthatch, summer torch, blackcap, garden warbler and song thrush. So plenty to spot!
Mammals and...ants!
Among the mammals in the forest, the squirrel is best represented, but the forests of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide are also home to the roe deer, fox, wood mouse, weasel, ermine and polecat. Even the rare pine marten thrives here. Remarkably; after more than a century of absence, a wolf has once again settled in the region. Thus, the Grenspark belongs to the territory of wolf Emma, who lives almost exclusively off these wild prey, which she also finds a lot in her core area, the Groot Schietveld. Every year, young wandering wolves also pass through the Grenspark in search of a mate, and there is a good chance that wolf Emma could establish a pack.
Exotics
In recent years, many invested in controlling exotics, in favour of native plantings. Read more about it below.
Throughout the Grenspark, major investments are being made in the control of exotic plants such as American bird cherry and rhododendron to give more space to native plants.
The American bird cherry was once planted because of its fast-digesting leaves: it had to improve the sparse forest soil. On estates, it served as a shelter for game. The downside? Because it spreads so quickly and overgrows everything, it displaces native trees and shrubs.
The rhododendron - a beautiful bloomer - was mainly planted on estates as an ornamental shrub in the 18th and 19th centuries. The disadvantages of this plant? This shrub also spread easily by seed and root shoots. Moreover, the fallen leaves formed a thick litter in which nothing germinated.