Children from the Bëschspillschoul helped break ground on Thursday at the one-hectare field in Eecherfeld. The project will allow researchers to study mixed forest types, with the children helping to plant the first of 3,500 trees. Michel Leytem, director of the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF), explained which species the project will prioritise and why. “We are mainly planting linden, oak and beech trees, species that truly belong here,” he said.
There is a specific reason for choosing these trees. “These are the species that are most resilient in the face of climate change, when temperatures rise slightly,” Leytem added. He stressed that diversity is central to the concept: “We are not relying on just one tree species, but on a mix of several.”
Beyond its scientific purpose, the initiative also carries educational value. Environment Minister Serge Wilmes said the trees planted today will only reach their full biological value in 20 to 40 years. He described the project as a strong symbol, bringing together multiple important aspects that will benefit both current and future generations.
Leytem highlighted the important role of LIST in the project, stressing the need for reliable long-term climate data that can be directly applied to forest management. Researchers will provide the necessary scientific data, and the trees themselves will be connected via fibre-optic cables to study how they interact.
Some trees will be inoculated with a fungal mixture known as mycorrhiza, making the initiative highly innovative. The scientific findings will later be shared publicly to help ensure forests are better prepared to respond to climate change.
The project also contributes to the City of Luxembourg’s goal of planting 30,000 new trees by 2030.
