Metal detector

February 15, 2020

Result: a piece of barbed wire (not pictured).

Auger

July 13, 2020

In search of the groundwater level a hole was made using an auger in the lowest part of The Plot. Approximate depth: 1.2m.

Result: sandy ground, no sign of water nor mud.

Top layer: about 50cm of humus, followed by sand. See also Geology of The Plot.

Update October 2020: even after weeks of ample rain, the deep ditch (approx. 1.5m) bordering The Plot is dry.

Landschap

September 30, 2020

Karel, landscape advisor of Brabants Landschap paid a visit to The Plot.

Result: if The Plot was a plot in a larger forest, it would best be left alone. However, its location and the fact that it’s private property call for action.

Karel advised to plant a range of indigenous trees and bushes, while keep open spaces. He provided a list with suitable saplings.

But

Considering the climate shifts, wouldn’t it be more sustainable towards the future to start planting trees that are at home in a dryer, hotter climate?

Karel advised to contact the university of Wageningen for additional advice.

Imperialism

Ongoing removal of invasive plants.

Prunus serotina, in Dutch known as American Bird Cherry, and Quercus rubra (in Dutch: American oak), are both considered to be invasive species, endangering the growth of indigenous plants. Particularly the Prunus serotina – across the ocean a tree, but on the European continent a bush – is rampant.

The American oak grows much quicker than the European oak, in time hindering the latter to thrive.

Both species have to be actively removed. Bird Cherry is quite easily pulled out, the smaller American oak saplings are anchored surprisingly firmly in the ground. Some force is needed.

One or two American oaks on the West bank of The Plot drop large amounts of acorns.

Orthomosaic map

October 17, 2020

When standing on The Plot, it’s difficult to have a good overview of the situation.

A drone made a so-called orthomosaic map by photographing The Plot from an altitude of 120 meters. Higher is not allowed due to other air traffic (from Eindhoven Airport, for instance), and the fact that the airspace in the area is apparently owned by the Dutch army. There are quite a few army bases nearby.

The photos are stitched together into one high resolution image.

Result: a clear overview of The Plot. Note the fallen trees (mostly birch), blown over easily without the protection of the spruce forest.

It’s clear that the wind is mostly coming from the West (top of the image).