Land Trust Planting For The Future

A new initiative by Mousam Way Land Trust is taking a proactive stance in response to environmental changes. As global warming accelerates and transforms our world, the forest’s ability to help offset increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is impacted. Native evergreens and deciduous hardwoods that are adapted to cooler temperatures will begin to disappear, changing the nature of the forest and its surroundings.

Bud Johnston, President of the Mousam Way Land Trust, announced the project to plant warm-adapted, southern species on MWLT’s reserves in anticipation of this radical change. “In time these southern replacements will become part of the forest and restore some balance,” he said. “The public is invited to help us go one step further by planting some of these trees in their yards, from which they eventually will spread to wooded areas.”

If you become a member of the Mousam Way Land Trust, or make a donation by April 28, you will receive a collection of five different tree seedlings to plant. Alternatively, you may choose to have the land trust plant them in strategic areas. The selected trees, Redcedar, Tulip tree, Bitternut Hickory, Hackberry and Bald Cypress, are attractive shade trees and also provide food for wildlife. They all do well in ordinary garden soil in sunny areas. Bald Cypress also will grow in wet soil.

To get involved, visit mousamwaylandtrust.org and click on ‘Become a member’ and fill out the form. You will be informed via email when the seedlings are available. Planting instructions will accompany the seedlings.

Photo by Jane Shelby Richardson of Duke University.