by Tom Chillemi –
There is plenty of help available for Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck residents looking to improve their land with trees.
For planting open land in the Rappahannock River watershed, it is probably best to check with the Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) about funding opportunities, advises Forester Lisa Deaton of the Gloucester office of the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF). There are federal, state, and local sources of funding for planting trees, Deaton said. “Either FOR or our agency can point a landowner in the right direction based on the scope of the project and the planting objectives.”
Also, the Gloucester DOF usually receives 5,000 genetically improved loblolly pines in March or April to give to local landowners for small planting projects. To request these free bare-root pine seedlings, call Deaton at 693-2880 or email her at lisa.deaton@dof.virginia.gov.
The DOF also offers Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grants annually, with applications due in September. For information, visit https://bit.ly/3pQcI7F.
Why would someone want to plant trees?
“If you stop mowing or bush-hogging open land, a forest will start to grow back,” said Deaton. “However, if you want to grow something besides volunteer pines, gums, poplars, and maples, then the Virginia Department of Forestry can help you design a planting project to meet your objectives.”
For those considering planting trees on their property, the Virginia DOF and Trees Virginia offer helpful advice on their websites. Visit https://bit.ly/3mW6LEe and https://treesvirginia.org. Another resource is the International Society of Arboriculture at https://www.treesaregood.org/treeowner.
Another great resources is available for connecting to nature and nearby trees is available at plt.org/activities-for-families/.
