Another planting season has successfully finished for the Trees for Mapleton program.
Over 44,000 trees were planted in Mapleton this spring. The newly planted trees had a great start with such a wet spring but they will need watering during drought periods currently being experienced.
Most of the trees planted were in the form of windbreaks and those reached an overall length of 28km. The reason for such a high number of windbreaks is due to their practicality on the farm.
By reducing wind, windbreaks will protect crops from storms, increase crop yield, provide better growing conditions, and make more moisture available during dry spells.
The length of watercourses that were buffered by trees this spring is 3.2km. Buffer strips stabilize bank and shorelines, filter and trap sediment, offer flood protection, increase fish habitat, and more.
Approximately 2.5km of shelterbelts were planted this spring around farm buildings or areas housing livestock. That style of planting is designed to improve livestock health and performance, reduce heating and cooling costs, and increased odour control in the area.
The remainders of planting sites were reforestation projects and living snow fences.
Call or email Myles Henderson with any questions about trees that were planted or to put together a tree planting project on a property. Henderson is currently working on and doing site visits for fall 2011 and spring 2012 plants. Call 519-621-2763 extension 2259 or email him at mhenderson@grandriver.ca.
