These 30 municipalities show how the Netherlands is visibly greening up

And what data-driven tree monitoring teaches us about a greener Netherlands

In recent years, many Dutch municipalities have made great strides in greening their living environment. This is not only visible on the streets, but also, for the first time, precisely measurable thanks to detailed tree data. Our recent national analysis shows that municipalities such as Haarlemmermeer, Uithoorn, Barendrecht and Haarlem in particular have seen remarkably strong growth in tree greenery.

But what exactly does that growth tell us? And how come we can determine it so accurately?

The answer lies in the combination of advanced data technology and smart applications such as TreeBase. This brings into focus not only the trees, but also the real impact of municipal green policies.

Data makes greening visible: what is TreeBase?

TreeBase is our nationwide data service with all trees in the Netherlands, public and private. That data is continuously refreshed with:

• High-quality aerial photos
  
• Satellite images
  
• Lidar / altitude files
  
• NEO's own AI and deep learning models
  

Earlier, we explained how our technology around trees works. Our AI model not only recognises individual tree crowns, but can also distinguish between trees and objects similar to them, such as pylons, towers, roofs or shadows. 

The system understands the context: a tree in a residential area looks different from a row of trees along a road or a solitary tree in open landscape.

Thanks to this smart approach, it captures, among other things:

• Tribal compositions,
  
• Green surface
  
• Crown diameter
  
• Crown volume
  
• Height
  
• Historical changes over the years.
  

TreeBase is thus the source for trees in the Netherlands: reliable, complete and suitable for analysis at any scale. From street to national.

Where do tree greens grow the fastest?

The top 30 municipalities with the biggest increase

The latest national analysis shows that some municipalities stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to greening. These are the top 30 municipalities with largest percentage increase in tree greenery:

1. Haarlemmermeer - +24.3%
   
2. Uithoorn - +23.1%
   
3. Barendrecht - +20.1%
   
4. Haarlem - +19.2%
   
5. Boxtel - +19.1%
   
6. Houten - +19%
   
7. Best - +18.7%
   
8. Oirschot - +18.6%
   
9. Eersel - +17.6%
   
10. Meierijstad - +17.5%
    
11. Hillegom - +17.3%
    
12. Wijchen - +17%
    
13. Maashorst - +14.1%
    
14. Eindhoven - +13.7%
    
15. Tholen - +13.5%
    
16. Bernheze - +13.2%
    
17. Terschelling - +13%
    
18. Heemstede - +12.5%
    
19. Hilvarenbeek - +12.5%
    
20. Kaag en Braassem - +12.4%
    
21. Sint-Michielsgestel - +11.7%
    
22. Helmond - +11.6%
    
23. 's-Hertogenbosch - +11.1%
    
24. Asten - +10.6%
    
25. Hoeksche Waard - +10.5%
    
26. Heumen - +10.4%
    
27. Heeze-Leende - +10.3%
    
28. Veldhoven - +10.1%
    
29. Overbetuwe - +9.9%
    
30. Zwijndrecht - +9.9%
    

What does this growth mean in practice?

The increase in tree greenery has multiple effects:

Better quality of life

More trees means more shade, less heat stress, better air quality and more nature in the immediate neighbourhood.

Biodiversity and climate adaptation

Greenery makes cities and towns more climate resilient. Trees buffer heat, water and CO₂ and encourage flora and fauna.

Smarter management and lower costs

Accurate data allows municipalities to plan maintenance more efficiently. From pruning to inspection and better assess risks around tree roots or storm damage.

Transparency and accountability

Municipalities can demonstrate the results of their greening based on hard data, e.g. for CO₂ targets or grant applications.

How data tells the story

Suppose a municipality like Haarlemmermeer, with an increase of +24.3%, wants to understand where that growth is coming from. Thanks to TreeBase, you can see:

• How many new trees have been planted,
  
• Which crown volumes have increased,
  
• Where old trees have been removed or replaced,
  
• Which neighbourhoods benefit the most.
  

This makes greening measurable, visible and controllable.

Thanks to data, greening comes of age 

Greening the Netherlands is no longer done by feel or estimates. Thanks to AI, satellites and high-quality data like that from BoomBasis, municipalities can make informed choices, optimise their management and show their residents how their living environment is improving.

The top 30 shows that many municipalities have found their way up.

Data not only shows us that it gets greener, but also why, where and how soon.

The next step?

Using these insights to make all of the Netherlands greener, healthier and more climate resilient.

Curious about your region or municipality's tree data? Schedule an online session and discover BoomBasis.