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Man-made forest becomes natural forest
Ruigahuizen is the smallest village in the Gaasterlân-Sleat District and is situated just a few kilometres south of Balk on the edge of the extensive Star Numan Forest, an Eldorado for hikers and cyclists.
The Star Numan Forest, in between Kippenburg and Ruigahuizen, is a primeval forest in the making. The National Forest Service is giving this 19th century man-made forest back to nature, although it will always be showing that the forest was originally set up for growing oak trees.
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Original parcels were rectangular and called seedbeds. Fortunately, the network of walkways is not running in straight lines; these are meandering through the forest as if they have always been there.
Just over a century ago, these trees were cut every 15 years, producing firewood for domestic use and baker’s ovens. But for many years the sound of axes and chainsaws has not been heard. It is to become a wild forest with a wide array of trees, plants and fungi. Right now, the oak trees are enjoying the company of birch trees, Scots pine, countless mosses and ferns; also mushrooms late in summer and in autumn.
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