Hellendoorn nature groups clash over oak woodland management

A dispute has emerged in Hellendoorn between nature organization Landschap Overijssel and the foundation Bomenridders West-Twente regarding the management of oak woodlands along the Nieuwe Twentseweg.

Landschap Overijssel plans to partially cut back the oak woodlands to restore their historical coppice character and ensure long-term vitality. Field advisor Martin Degen states that without intervention, multiple heavy trunks resting on single root systems risk splitting and falling, potentially leading to the trees' death within ten to twenty years.

Conversely, Bomenridders West-Twente has launched a petition against the plan, arguing that removing 95 percent of the trunks and branches could kill the old oaks. Secretary Peter Verburg claims experts suggest the trees could survive another 100 to 200 years without such drastic measures and fears the process will create a “battlefield” rather than preserving nature.