This spring, we worked with Conservation Services Inc. and their dedicated tree planting crew to install 1,300 seedlings with tree shelters on a farm in Albemarle County. This 4-acre site was the first riparian buffer project funded through the Virginia Environmental Endowment grant which is supporting the new James River Buffer Program.
It has been less than two months since installation and it is extremely encouraging to see the silhouette of leaves in the tree shelter tubes. The seedlings are leafed out and really growing well!
Depending on the species, the seedlings can grow pretty quickly in their tree shelter, which also acts like a greenhouse. Some of the faster-growing species will pop out of the tubes within the first growing season. The Albemarle County landowner is looking forward to phase two of our project, which will be installed this fall.
