Gansbroek's fruit hedge

Fruit Hedge

The Gansbroek fruit hedge

Berchem-Saint-Agathe (Bruxelles)

825

500

March 2025

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The Project

A community fruit hedge on the edge of the Gansbroek nature reserve

Together with staff from KBC Brussels and their families, SOWoods planted a fruit hedge on a plot of land owned by citydev.brussels, in the heart of an area that blends nature, economic activity and industrial sites.

Initial situation

In Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, a plot of land owned by citydev.brussels is situated at the junction of several landscapes: the Gansbroek nature reserve, business parks and industrial sites in the Brussels-Capital Region.

In this heavily urbanised environment, the aim was to enhance the presence of nature whilst creating a unifying project for KBC Brussels staff and their families.

SOWoods’ solution

SOWoods designed and supervised the community-led planting of a fruit hedge, comprising species suited to the local environment.

Employees of KBC Brussels and their families were invited to take part in the planting. This hands-on, intergenerational activity enabled them to discover the various stages of a greening project and to contribute directly to the site’s development.

Ultimately, this hedge will form a green space that is both productive and welcoming to biodiversity, whilst being seamlessly integrated into its urban surroundings. The project illustrates SOWoods’ approach: transforming urbanised spaces through natural, participatory and sustainable solutions.

Benefits

Ecologocial :

Creation of new habitats and food sources for birds, insects and local small wildlife.
Diversification of vegetation within an economic and industrial environment. 18 different tree species have been planted.
Enhancement of ecological connectivity near the Gansbroek Nature Reserve.
Gradual improvement in soil quality and vitality.

Climate-related :

Contributing to local cooling through vegetation
Improving water infiltration into the soil.
Gradual carbon storage in plants and the soil.
Strengthening the site’s resilience to heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

Social :

Creating an opportunity for KBC Brussels staff and their families to bond.
Raising practical awareness of biodiversity and the role of hedges in urban areas.
Helping participants reconnect with nature through a collective effort.
Encouraging a sense of ownership of the project amongst those who directly contributed to planting it.