Jun 16, 2025
Afforestation in stages: how to transform a gravel pit into a flourishing forest ecosystem
From gravel pit to growing forest: how our work in Nysum is transforming a previous industrial site into a thriving ecosystem.
Nestled in northern Denmark, the Old Gravel forest in Nysum is not your typical forestry project. Once an old gravel pit, this land has a unique history and an even more ambitious future. Since acquiring the site in late 2023, we have been working with nature (and sometimes against the weather!) to afforest the area. With the first half of trees planted in May 2025 and the next phase in sight, it’s time for an update on how the forest is growing and what’s next for this remarkable project.
A forest with an industrial past
When we acquired the Old Gravel forest in Nysum, we inherited a patchwork landscape: old Christmas tree plots, dense weeds, and a deep gravel pit. Our mission? To transform this space into a healthy, biodiverse forest that captures carbon, restores habitat, and inspires climate action.
However, the soil wasn’t immediately ready to welcome new trees. Poor weather and challenging ground conditions delayed our initial planting. But patience is part of the process, especially when working with nature.
The first milestone: Getting the first trees in the ground
After a long wait through wet seasons and challenging soil conditions, we finally had a window of ideal weather in spring 2024. During this window, we planted the first half of the Nysum Forest, covering approximately 14 hectares.
Previously used for Christmas tree cultivation, this area had more manageable soil conditions than the gravel pit sections, making it the logical starting point. Our planting introduced a diverse mix of native and resilient tree species, including Douglas fir, Norway maple, Oak, Wild cherry, and mixed broadleaf varieties.
This marked a significant step forward in transforming the gravel pit into a long-term, biodiverse forest.
Insights from the field
In early June 2025, our forester and carbon expert Arnau de Grave toured all of EcoTree’s Danish sites, including Nysum. His observations confirm that the first planting is off to a healthy and stable start—and that preparations for the next phase are on track.
Here’s what Arnaud reported:
- Tree health is promising, with only minor stress indicators (e.g. a few dry terminal buds). Overall, recovery is progressing well.
- Vegetation competition is high, but being actively managed through regular clearing helps young trees establish without being overwhelmed.
- Nettles indicate where fertiliser was applied, but these don’t pose a problem for the trees.
- The forest edges are well-established, providing structural strength and early biodiversity benefits.
- Soil work in the gravel pit section is ongoing and progressing as planned; this area will be ready for planting in 2026.
These real-time insights help us adjust our forestry strategy where needed and ensure long-term resilience. They’re also vital for the transparency we offer our individual and corporate tree owners.
So, what’s next for the project?
The final planting phase is scheduled to take place in 2026. The remaining area, once part of the gravel pit, needs additional soil work before we are sure the trees we plant will survive. That preparation is now on track, and the land will be ready for planting next year.
As always, our goal isn’t just to plant trees, but to grow resilient forests that deliver long-term environmental value.
Follow the forest’s evolution.
Whether you're a tree owner, a partner business, or simply curious about how degraded land can be reborn, we invite you to follow our progress. With new visuals, maps, and updates coming soon, you’ll be able to see how Nysum continues to green its way back to life.
