Forest Service completes forest restoration - 1.4 million seedlings planted
Release Date: Jul 7, 2011
Contact(s): Schirete Zick (530) 226-2595
REDDING, Calif. - In early June, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest completed reforestation of the areas devastated by the historic 2008 wildfires by planting 1.4 million seedlings on the west side of the forest.
“This area burned with such high severity that the area was reduced to standing dead trees with few surviving trees to provide seed for natural regeneration,” Forester Phillip Eisenhauer said. “Without reforestation, this area could be brush fields for decades.”
Reforestation projects begin months before the actual planting – starting with the collection of cones from which seeds are extracted.
“We collected cones from similar areas to obtain seeds that closely match the site that was burned,” Eisenhauer said. “The seeds were sown in a nursery and allowed to grow for two years before being shipped to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest where they were stored in tree coolers prior to planting.”
Contractors and volunteers began planting the seedlings on 6,000 acres in the spring of 2010.
"The completion of this project accelerates recovery of the forest, which provides long term benefits to wildlife and watershed,” Eisenhauer said. “Recovery of the forest also improves recreational opportunities and allows the people to continue to enjoy the beauty that the forest offers.”
Volunteers included the Boys and Girls Scouts of America, California Conservation Corps, Shasta College and Society of American Foresters. The contracting firms who participated in the project included GE Forestry, Alpha Services, Summit Forestry, Pacific Oasis and RCO.
Interagency cooperation during this effort occurred with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Land Management.
The entire project, which included the seedlings, maintenance and tree planting contracts totaled close to $2 million. The Arbor Day Foundation contributed close to $300,000 towards the purchase of seedlings.
For more information, contact Phillip G. Eisenhauer at (530) 226-2304.
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