Quercetum Project

Today, in the face of ecological and climate disruption, the Charlois Fund for Art and the Forest reaffirms its active role in the preservation and restoration of forests.

It is no longer only about preserving the material, but about preparing the future of oak — observing, understanding, and supporting its evolution. It is in this spirit that the Charlois Fund’s Quercetum Project was created: an oak arboretum that brings together nature, tradition, research, and science within a comprehensive initiative.

The Quercetum Project reflects the Charlois Fund’s mission to take concrete action for the future of oak and to pass on a vegetal, cultural, and human heritage to future generations.

Phase 1 – Murlin

Phase 1 of the Quercetum Project began in Murlin in December 2025. During this first stage, more than seventy specimens of various species were planted.

These oaks, selected by Vincent Brunet, come from Pépinière Quercus. The selection was made according to soil conditions and climate. Planting multiple species is also essential to preserve biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience. This diversity promotes healthier soils, limits disease, and ensures more sustainable forests in the face of climate change.

In Murlin, the program — which will span five years — will ultimately include 360 oaks representing 40 different species.

This project, intended to extend over several decades and across multiple sites worldwide, aims to study the evolution of different species while creating ecosystems that foster the development of biodiversity.

A Living & Sustainable Vision of Oak for Tomorrow

The Quercetum is not merely an arboretum: it is an open-air laboratory dedicated to the study of oak.

It brings together, across multiple sites, a unique collection of oak varieties from around the world (ultimately representing more than 400 species and varieties); an applied research program focused on future-oriented species; a global geographic presence offering a diversity of soils and climates; and an experimental and educational space open to transmission, scientific collaboration, and the enhancement of living systems.

The Charlois Fund’s Quercetum thus becomes a center for oak research and experimentation, complementary to the living heritage craftsmanship it already promotes. It will be made available to partner institutions for experimental projects related to climate disruption.

We will keep you informed through the seasons, throughout the planting phases and the evolution of this long-term project!

To learn more, read the full article on the Charlois Fund for Art and the Forest website.

Photographs : Christophe Deschanel