With spring finally here farmers are busy preparing for the planting season.
Part of the spring season includes the planting of trees, for which funding is available from various agencies.
“Paul Day had a passion for the establishment of windbreaks,” said Trees for Mapleton chair Bruce Whale.
“He always said it was necessary to put the right trees in the right places.”
Day, who passed away in 2016, spent countless hours leading Trees for Peel and later Trees for Mapleton.
Wind breaks help regain climate advantages that trees produced years ago. Planned windbreaks can be maintained better than a fence row consisting of scrub trees.
“When replacing something, replace it with something better,” said Whale.
Once the future wind break site is cleared and plastic mulch is applied, trees are planted into the plastic, which can provide up to 10 years of weed control.
The plastic does not inhibit tree growth, but suppresses grass growth, allowing trees to grow freely while also improving water conservation and allowing the retention of water in the tree’s root zone. Contractors are available to mulch and plant windbreaks.
“Mulching experiments I did at various sites have shown that trees grown in mulch took one year to obtain the growth that trees competing with grass took in five to six years,” said Whale.
Trees for Mapleton volunteers can assist farmers with the application process for funding from The Rural Water Quality Program for windbreak projects that incorporate plastic mulch and installation.
Contractors are also available to do mulching and tree planting.
“The cost of plastic mulch and plastic mulch installation could be covered up to 100 per cent as funds are available. The tax portion of these are not covered,” Whale said.
As farmers are busy in the spring and fall, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) is available to help with decisions on tree species, planting plans, funding and can make arrangements for tree planting contractors.
GRCA forestry specialist Meghan Clay said, “Tree seeds are sourced and collected in the local area and produce tree seedlings that are suited to the area. Bulk orders are filled by reputable nurseries that have the capacity to grown large quantities of trees. Planting contractors are local, reputable and experienced.”
The Paul Day Legacy Forest will be the site of a fall planting in 2018. A variety of trees will be planted and the community is invited to volunteer for the venture by contacting Whale at 519-748-7928 or whalebruce@gmail.com.
Rural landowners are reminded to stop at the Trees for Mapleton booth at the Drayton Farm Show on March 28, and 29 for more information on tree planting, windbreaks and funding. Everyone is also invited to take home a free tree.
