Propagation Progress

Work on the delayed Propagation Center is finally underway. The site work, foundation, and slab are complete, the lumber is on site, and construction will begin in earnest the week of June 26th. 

To maximize survival rates, a Propagation Field is being established to raise small trees to a size comparable to those we have been planting. Utilizing a “pot-in-pot” system, 250 trees are set into fiber pots which are placed into plastic pots set into the ground. An irrigation system has been installed. A deer fence will be installed to limit predation.

Within the field are 20 Butternut Trees. Donated by Kevin and Laura Crawford, these trees have been propagated at the Boscobel DNR Nursery from seed nuts supplied by the Crawfords. The nuts come from a tree located on the Crawford property which appears to have some resistance to the Butternut blight. Should this resistance be a genetic trait, this effort will be instrumental in returning the Butternut to the area forests. 

Pat Koppa organized a crew of local Girl Scouts over three successive evenings in May to plant the bareroot whips as part of that organization’s commitment to help reestablish forests. We appreciate the assistance and hope those involved can follow the success of their efforts over time.