The Trees Are Coming!

We love trees! In fact, the more the merrier. And this year, there will be even more trees at White's Wetland.

We are committed to good stewardship of the land, and that includes reforestation. Reforestation is good for a number of reasons. Of course, it's really important to make sure that the plants and shrubs native to this area, which are part of our natural heritage, have a chance to regain territory and flourish. But trees also maintain a healthy watershed. The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority is working hard to make this happen. Every year since 2001 KCCA has been planting Carolinian and native tree and shrub species in the watershed. To date, more than 400 acres have been reforested in the KCCA watershed, or, in other words, 100,000 trees a year!

This year, White's Wetland is getting in on the act. Some time very soon, once the soil is dry enough and ready, KCCA tree planters will be planting some 1200 to 1500 trees here! Very exciting.

Among the species we have chosen to plant are the Kentucky Coffee Tree (which is an endangered species), Honey Locust, Tulip Tree (deciduous), and Tamarack (coniferous).

I'll blog more about the full "palette" of trees that will be planted as planting day approaches, and about the Carolinian zone in general too, but it is gratifying to know that so many of the original growth Carolinian trees are going to be reintroduced to White's Wetland.

I will keep you posted with the progress and hope to have pictures—even video—of this momentous event.

To learn more about KCCA's reforestation project, please visit their website. Lots of great information there as well about the importance of a healthy watershed.

To learn more about the endangered Kentucky Coffee Tree, check out the ROM site.