Gift Trees Planting Project – Virginia

Project Description

This Gift Tree Planting Project in the George Washington National Forest, Virginia. Planting season occurs when the ground is moist and warm, typically in late spring, early summer, or early fall. Therefore, the trees will get plenty of water and grow healthy roots.

This planting project is a shortleaf pine restoration project. Shortleaf pine is of particular interest because seedlings and saplings can re-sprout after a fire, which provides them competitive advantages over other species in future climates. Being associated with fire-maintained, open-canopy ecosystems, the presence of shortleaf pine has historically had a positive impact on biodiversity, especially populations of federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. With an abundance of ecological and economic benefits, forestry professionals realized the importance of establishing a formal conservation plan focused on regenerating and managing viable populations of shortleaf pine, which your project will accomplish.