The tree nursery industry in Zundert

Anyone who dives into the tree nursery industry in Zundert, cannot ignore the fact that prior to the rise of the tree nursery industry, the region mainly consisted of poor farmers. The forests in the surrounding area were used for wood, the heathland for sheep, and the cultural landscape was used for vegetables and fruit. The yards around farms were focused on usefulness. No ornamental gardens, but plots with hawthorn or blackthorn used as livestock fences. This was only different for the nobility, where gardens were still regarded as status symbol. 

Economically, things weren’t looking that good: the Kempen area (The Netherlands and Belgium) had a bad infrastructure, and both provincial and local government lacked vision. The Belgian Revolution, which started in 1830, also made its mark. When the soldiers left and the inhabitants got the opportunity to take stock, roads and bridges were destroyed, and the community chest was empty.

Poverty reduction

In 1840, Caspar van Beckhoven is appointed as mayor. He sets poverty reduction as a priority. In 1847, a lot at the Minoore (area) in Wernhout is purchased for an unemployment relief project. It is a 29-hectare plot of heath, meant to reclaim and afforest. Five years later, another 17 hectares is purchased. 

In 1855, that resulted in a harvest of 15 hectolitres of pinecones and 22 pounds of seeds. This proved to be a very fruitful start of commercial arboriculture! In 1860, the Minoore employed five people fulltime, at a day’s wage of 50 cents. The Poor Relief Committee, which was tasked with taking care of the poor, usually within the parish, expanded her activities to other grounds, such as the meadow of the Hof, the meadow at Stuivezand, the ‘Poor man’s meadows’ in the Gooren, and the meadow in the Boontuinen.

At that time, the grounds near the large brook were also very suitable for the tree nursery industry. It was often emptied, and the mud and clay was spread out over adjacent grounds, to improve the soil. In 1863, guano (imported manure products from birds) was used for the first time. This helped improving the parts that were a bit further from the brook.

Pinus sylvestris

The start of the tree nursery industry in Zundert was characterised by the growth of Pinus sylvestris, also known as pine or Scotch fir. The wood of this tree was mainly used in mining; it squeaks when it moves, which meant that any collapse of the mine would make itself known beforehand. Plant material that was not suitable for breeding was used as wood for stoves.

In 1866, another purchase at the Minoore was done. That was also the start of trade between the Poor Relief Committee and the rapidly increasing number of nurseries. In the following years, the area prospered, and having a Poor Relief Committee didn’t really seem to be necessary. To improve cultivation, growers felt the need to start using crop protection products. In 1886, 24 growers requested the required phylloxera declaration.

During the tenure of mayor Van Beckhoven, arboriculture in the area steadily developed. The reports that the Queen’s Commissioner made in the period of 1896 - 1925 show that the respect for this upcoming economy increased by the year, and that all the knowledge gained was shared widely. 

Development tree nursery area Zundert

The cross-pollination between nurseries, strawberry farming and fruit production led to new insights and opportunities for all those involved. This helped Zundert develop into a rich area. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Poor Relief Committee concluded that it completed its mission and withdrew itself from the nursery.

The developments in the green industry continued. As of 1920, fertilizer started being widely applied. This increased the acreage and widened the assortment. At that time, Zundert was home to multiple renowned nurseries that were also often involved in trade. In those years, names as De Pijnboom, Wilhelmina, Lobarts, Dictus, and Doomen (with one and two o’s), and others, appear to be synonymous for the entrepreneurial spirit of Zundert.

It was of course important to maintain this economic development. That is why in 1949, on the initiative of mayor Manders and others, the ‘Fruitvakschool’ (a vocational school for fruit cultivation) was founded. The first year, it had 20 students, in the following years that number increased to approximately 30 a year. The school followed the need for more and well-trained staff for the nurseries. At the end of the 60s, education had to be ‘improved’, and the training fell under the ‘Mammoetwet’, an educational-reform legislation. That proved to be a historic error and ultimately led to the death of tree nursery education in Zundert in 1981.

Transformation

Fortunately, arboriculture didn’t suffer the same fate. The industry has transformed since 1955. The cultivation was adjusted to the demand of plants for modern forests. Growing ‘urban green’ and responsible construction of landscapes and recreational areas increased. The activities on the nursery were modernised: tractors, planting machines, grippers, millers, and harvesters came into play. After that, the narrow-gauge tractors, height-adjustable platforms, and a noticeable refinement of techniques for the application of chemical weed control followed. And when it came to logistics, a lot changed as well. Companies moved from horse carts and trams to transport using trucks, trailers, and pick-ups. In the eighties, palletisers entered the scene, quickly followed by supplying plants on CC trolleys with multiple layers. For those not familiar with these carts; these are the rambling carts that do have a standard size, but make a lot of noise and always seem to have a broken wheel.

Growers also paid special attention to making economical use of the soil. Mechanisation, drainage and irrigation, advanced sampling and fertilisation created a more accessible soil and a higher yield per hectare. At the end of the sixties, the meandering river of Aa of Weerijs was practically straightened. That resulted in a year-round accessibility of the grounds surrounding the banks.

The expansion of the trade and cultivation led to more growers taking the leap towards entrepreneurship in the seventies. More billboards with new names appeared next to the plots, and the competition forced all nurseries to work at a higher level. 

Trade fair GrootGroenPlus

Sending out stock lists started to become an inefficient way for companies to present themselves. They were looking for new ways to sell, and that led to the first BoomteeltExpo in 1986. In 1991, the first edition of trade fair GrootGroenPlus was held on the middle terrain of the Assortimentstuin, which was created in 1988. The combination of maintaining the Assortimentstuin and hosting the trade fair proved to be a bad combination. The garden was disposed of, and the trade fair has become a professional and international staple in the tree nursery industry in the past 15 years. 

Nowadays, trade fair GrootGroenPlus is the international start of the new trade season. The participating businesses from Zundert are responsible for approximately 25 per cent of the trade fair floor and have come a long way in their professional presentation. In just a few decades, the industry moved from phone, telex and fax machine to e-mail, website with online stock systems, and sometimes even a web shop. And of course, most nurseries are also active on social media nowadays. 

Heart of Europe

The nursery region is strongly rooted in a healthy soil, and is ready for the future. The nursery industry in North Brabant and the Noorderkempen (Belgium) has a long history, and has become indispensable for employment opportunities and economical development in the region. Through the years, the region has developed into a modern and innovative tree nursery area, and it is striving to become the agro logistical heart of Europe. 

This short description of the nursery history of Zundert might be best summarised by a quote from Alfred Delahaye: “This success, and possibly a subconscious desire to forget these humble beginnings, made people easily forget that the industry was actually founded on dire poverty. Something to be proud of, instead of ashamed, since we’re all working to put bread on the table, whether we are a brain surgeon, pencil sharpener, carpenter, grower or jet fighter.”

Announcement: chairman of trade fair GrootGroenPlus and Treeport manager David B?mer and participant Arjan Bakx (expositions at trade fair GrootGroenPlus) recently presented a story on arboriculture in the region. David announced that he will give the presentation again, for a bigger audience. Check out our social media accounts to stay up to date!