8.

2 Methodology of the Project for planning the planting of trees

8.2.1 Selecting adequate land for planting trees

Through discussing with the group members and studying the potential tree planting sites, one can determine
the candidate terrain that fulfills these criteria, especialle the “critical areas” (terrain which requires
restoration of vegetation cover and protection by woods).
- Banks of streams
- Places where there are gullies
- Prominent slopes with high risk of erosion
- Places where there were forest fires

It is relatively easy to select the places that require planting trees from the viewpoint of watershed
conservation. However, there are a variety of related issues that will need to be clarified and resolved, such
as the following: Who is the landowner, land user or person responsible for the land? Can the members obtain
permission for planting trees on that land? (Or is permission necessary?) Can the growth of the trees be
protected over a long period of time? When selecting the land for planting trees, in addition to the
environmental criteria, one needs to consider to whom the land belongs and to consider the social aspects of
the selection so as to avoid conflicts within the community and guarantee the sustainability of the places
where the trees are planted.

8.2.2 Creating the tree planting plan

1) Make a drawing of the place where the trees will be planted

Once you have selected the place to
plant trees, make a simple drawing of
the site and calculate the area. This is
the same method explained in Chapter
7 for making the farm use plan, with 88m
Stream
the addition of calculating the number
of trees needed and the location of the
Direction of the slope
lines for planting the trees. It can be a
simple drawing showing the size of the
125m
area and the direction of its slopes.

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2) Selecting the tree species
The tree species are selected according to the wish of the group members and the community and in
accordance with the conditions of the planting area. From the perspective of encouraging members to
properly manage the area (clear the weeds), by their own initiative, after the trees have been planted, it would
be recommendable to select tree species that give a lot of motivation to the inhabitants to care for them. The
following chart shows a sample of species recommended for planting.

Native Species Exotic Species

Trees for timber Cedro espino, Cedro amargo, María, Amarillo,
Caoba, Níspero, Jacarandá, Cocobolo,
Madroño, Sigua, Amarillo Guayaquil
Podocarpus, Guayabo de montaña, Nuno
Fruit Trees Mamey, Zapote, Ciruela, Caimito, Madroño, Mango
Mamón, Mangotín, Toreta, Avocado,
Marañón curazao, Marañón criollo,
Guaba, Guayaba, Pomarrosa, Cañafístula,
Algarrobo, Jobo
Ornamental trees Roble, Guayacán, Tulipán, Nazareno,
Jacarandá, Gallitos, Lluvia de oro,
Astromelias, Acacias (many varieties)
Medicinal trees Cinammon, Salvia, Cacao, Ruda, Sanguinaria,
Cuadrado, Diente de león,
(Non-tree species) Ginger, Tilo desbaratadora
Agroforestery Balo, Laurel, Achiote, Coffee,
Guásimo, Papelillo, Guaba (Non-tree specie) Black
pepper
Other Espavé, Eritrinas, Higos, Jagua, Balso,
Pegle, coconut palms, Membrillo, Pixbae,
Leguminous species

3) Making the tree planting plan

Based on the area of the drawing, calculate the number of seedlings needed for the planting (2,500
seedlings/ha. when planting at an interval of 3 meters, 400 seedlings/ha. when planting at an interval of 5m).
With this information one can calculate the number of seedlings that will need to be produced in the nursery
and the material that will be needed (the number of jobs that need to be done in the nursery can also be
estimated).
The Tree Planting Plan should also include the “planting period” by taking into account the climate of the
area (time of the raining season) as well as the availability of labor force. Regarding the climate, the
beginning of the rainy season is generally the best moment for planting trees and will give a better survival
rate of the planted trees.

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8.2.3 Producing the tree seedlings

The task of producing seedlings in the nursery includes the activities listed in the box below. There are
manuals explaining the techniques for producing seedlings in nurseries. Please refer to such manuals for
learning the techniques.
1) Purchase the material and equipment needed
2) Prepare the land for the nursery
3) Prepare the bags with soil, etc.
4) Plant the seeds, and later transplant them
5) Care for the seedlings

Important points are as follows:

• Preparing the land for the nursery: Basically, the nursery is established inside the group farmland, and
technical assistance is given to the group as part of their group activities.
• Caring for the seedlings: The seeds contain the nutrients they needed for their initial growth. If the
temperature and moisture are adequate, the seeds will germinate and grow to a certain size.
Afterwards, however, a careful management of the seedlings is needed in order for them to grow
adequately for planting. This includes watering to promote root growth, controlling the shade and
weeding. The extension of techniques for producing good quality seedlings is an important element
in promoting the sustainability of the group activities through the participation of members by their
own initiative.
• The period of time needed for a seed to grow into a seedling ready for planting differs among the tree
species, but normally it takes several months. If the group plans to produce its own seedlings, the
period to start producing seedlings can be calculated by counting back from the day they plan to begin
planting trees.

8.2.4 Planting the tree seedlings

The process of planting seedlings includes the following tasks. There are manuals describing the techniques
used for planting seedlings. Please refer to such manuals for learning such techniques.
1) Prepare the necessary tools
2) Prepare the land (cleaning, digging the planting holes, etc.)
3) Transport the seedlings
4) Plant the seedlings
5) Water (as needed)

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Preparing the land: The primary purpose of planting trees is the conservation of the watershed soil.
Therefore, cutting the trees, whether large or small, that grow naturally in the planting area should be avoided
at all cost. There have been too many cases when preparing the land for planting trees, that the existing trees
in the area are cut to make it easier to plant the seedlings (in straight lines with regular intervals between
them). Also, in some cases, the seedlings are planted below the crown of an existing tree (the seedlings will
not have space to grow). Instruct the members to be flexible in locating the position of the planting holes
taking into consideration the existing trees.

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Location of the holes for planting tree
Location of the existing trees and the spread of their crown

8.2.5 Caring for the planted trees

Basically, for several years after planting the seedlings the periodic work required for caring for the trees is
weeding (clearing the undergrowth) and cutting vines. This is not technically difficult work, but requires
physical stamina and will power to continue. The planted area should be cleared regularly until the
seedlings grow to be higher than the vegetation around them. Especially when planting in Canal grass area,
frequent cutting of the Canal grass will be required.
In the case of citrus trees, in order to produce better quality fruit it would be recommendable to prune the
branches after they have grown a certain amount.

Clearing the undergrowth is heavy labor that has to be continued over a relatively long period of time. In
case the participants themselves have to do this work, some type of method is needed to give them an
incentive to do the work. Sometimes the method of paying for the participants’ labor is used. However,
from the perspective of “sustainable management” we do not recommend this incentive. It is better to use a
management method that takes into account incentives that are derived from the trees themselves, such as the
harvesting of fruit or wood products. Therefore, it will be of utmost importance to have a clear agreement

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with the participants on the tree species to be planted and the rules for managing them in the future (if the
trees can be cut in the future, and to whom the fruits and harvested products belong, etc.).

8.2.6 Inputs needed

Activities Personnel Time Material and Costs

Selecting suitable 1 to various persons Several days • A variety of office supplies
land from the project
Making the plan for 1 to various persons 1 to several days • A variety of office supplies
planting trees from the project
Producing tree 1 technician in charge Once a week (the technical • Seeds (purchased or collected)
seedlings of nurseries (project’s assistance days) • Plastic bags (as needed)
technical personnel) • Tools for preparing and planting the
seeds (spades, sieve, etc.)
• Tools for caring for the seedlings
(watering can, hose, etc.)
• Material for building a nursery
(sand, wood, etc.)
Planting the tree 1 technician in charge Several days at the • Tools for preparing the land, hoeing
seedlings of planting (project’s beginning, later assistance and irrigation (machete, shovel,
technical personnel) is given periodically watering can, hose, etc.)
Taking care of the 1 technician in charge Days decided upon (i.e. • Tools for cutting weeds (machete,
planted trees of caring for trees once every 2 months) with etc.)
(project’s technical assistance given each time
personnel) in the beginning.

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