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Natural Monuments

Populetum

Natural Monuments

Populetum

Highlight • Forest

Populetum

Recommended by 59 hikers out of 60

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Location: Geraardsbergen, Aalst, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Populetum

4.8

(55)

275

hikers

1. View of the Raspaillebos – Raspaille Forest loop from Onkerzele

16.1km

04:22

230m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.5

(47)

265

hikers

2. Raspaillebos Trailhead – Beautiful farm road loop from Grimminge

13.6km

03:40

170m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(37)

201

hikers

3. Raspaille Forest – View of the Raspaillebos loop from Grimminge

10.4km

02:47

120m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

March 21, 2022

A populetum is a collection of living poplars.
The poplars in this Populemtum belong to the West American balsam poplar (Populus trichocarpa) and form a unique collection in Europe.
The bassum poplar is known for its strong height growth and good rooting.
These poplars were used in the earlier division program to cross with the American black poplars to produce fast growing trees with a better wood quality for the wood processing industry.

Translated by Google •

Dominiek Van Dooren

September 28, 2025

The Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) has a 30-hectare research center in Grimminge (Geraardsbergen), around the Helix, the Flemish Knowledge and Training Center for Nature and the Environment. The research center is not only a research site but also houses several collections of rare native tree and shrub species, which contribute to the conservation of genetic diversity.
The research center houses several "populeta." A populetum is a collection of living poplars. The poplars in this populetum belong to the North American species Populus deltoides and Populus trichocarpa, and to the European black poplar (Populus nigra), forming a unique collection in Europe. These poplars were used in the INBO breeding program to create healthy trees with rapid growth, straight trunks, and excellent wood quality for the wood-processing industry.
(INBO)

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 70 m

Weather

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Thursday 11 December

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Location: Geraardsbergen, Aalst, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Populetum

1. View of the Raspaillebos – Raspaille Forest loop from Onkerzele

2. Raspaillebos Trailhead – Beautiful farm road loop from Grimminge

3. Raspaille Forest – View of the Raspaillebos loop from Grimminge

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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