Forêt Capitale Forest has planted 500 native trees at Hog’s Back Park over the past two planting seasons (Fall 2021 and Spring 2022). Throughout the summer, we had help from nearby community members who stewarded the site through watering and caring for the trees. This stewardship of the young trees after they have been planted is as important as planting the trees properly! Tree care for up to 5-7 years after a tree has been planted is part of our approach to afforestation. This additional step in the afforestation effort ensures that as many trees as possible can reach maturity. When more trees reach maturity, the ecosystem services and carbon storage capabilities of the afforestation site increase.
The new forests at Hog’s Back Park will require important tree care and maintenance for the next 5 years. Watering during the hot summer is one of the methods that we use to care for these young trees. You can support the care of these trees to ensure that these trees grow into a diverse and resilient mature forest.