Over 120 Leuven residents registered for the ‘Boom in Vorm’ (Tree in Shape) campaign, an initiative by the city of Leuven. Through this project, residents receive expert advice for pruning young trees in their gardens. The city selected 80 participants who were visited last week by local arborists and staff from Leuven's public green spaces department. These experts provided an initial pruning and shared practical tips for ongoing maintenance. The aim is to support residents in cultivating healthy young trees and thus strengthening Leuven's tree population.
Eight teams, comprising certified arborists and personnel from the city's green spaces department, visited the selected residents. In addition to the initial pruning, participants received a flyer with guidelines and advice. This information is intended to enable them to carry out maintenance themselves and potentially inspire their neighbors to do the same.
“"A small intervention at the right time can prevent many problems in the long term. In a natural environment, a tree usually finds its own balance. In an urban context, the conditions are different. Trees grow close to homes, roads, and other infrastructure and often have less space. By making limited adjustments in an early stage, major pruning wounds, risks of breakage, and heavy maintenance work can be avoided later. And with the right guidance, a tree can grow into a strong and safe asset for the neighborhood."
The initiative is part of the Leuven tree plan, which focuses on protecting and managing the 20,000 trees on public land. A key objective is to increase crown volume, providing much-needed shade and cooling during hot summers, purifying the air, and helping to retain water during heavy rainfall. Trees in private gardens make a significant contribution to a greener and climate-resilient city. ‘Boom in Vorm’ assists residents in correctly guiding young trees from the start, allowing them to develop into healthy specimens that maintain their natural shape and provide more shade, cooling, and biodiversity in the long term.
“A considerable portion of Leuven's green space is on private property,” stated Stockman. “By supporting residents in managing their trees, we help build a greener city. Every tree that can grow healthily into a mature specimen contributes to a more pleasant living environment for everyone.”
