Although we were all ready to start planting at the beginning of April, the weather was definitely not collaborating. It rained and snowed almost constantly. We finally were able to start on April 22, the same late day as last year. Incredibly, even after we started, a last snow storm brought 10 cm of snow the night of April 24 and planting had to be delayed again another two days to wait for it to melt. Our last day of planting was on May 22nd.
While as forest creators, we love rain, rain makes it impossible to plant because aside from the obvious inconveniences, the soil becomes muddy and thus difficult to dig, second, and most importantly, bringing workers down by trucks or bus on wet, grassy field roads becomes very slippery and thus dangerous. Safety is our first concern, when rain is threatening, we bring everyone down as quickly as possible.
Beyond that, it is important to explain why planting late is a concern. The fastest growth period for plants is in spring. If we can plant them in March or late March, saplings will have a full 3 months to grow, not only above the ground, but below the ground so their roots go as deep as they can. It is important for them to reach more moist layers of soil in order to withstand the harsh dry summer conditions. Obviously, if they are planted late, they will have less time to grow and, often, their roots will not be deep enough to withstand the summer. However, one should not be surprised by the plants' adaptability, it is amazing how much they “know” the surrounding conditions and the incredible lengths they go through in order to survive.
While as forest creators, we love rain, rain makes it impossible to plant because aside from the obvious inconveniences, the soil becomes muddy and thus difficult to dig, second, and most importantly, bringing workers down by trucks or bus on wet, grassy field roads becomes very slippery and thus dangerous. Safety is our first concern, when rain is threatening, we bring everyone down as quickly as possible.
Beyond that, it is important to explain why planting late is a concern. The fastest growth period for plants is in spring. If we can plant them in March or late March, saplings will have a full 3 months to grow, not only above the ground, but below the ground so their roots go as deep as they can. It is important for them to reach more moist layers of soil in order to withstand the harsh dry summer conditions. Obviously, if they are planted late, they will have less time to grow and, often, their roots will not be deep enough to withstand the summer. However, one should not be surprised by the plants' adaptability, it is amazing how much they “know” the surrounding conditions and the incredible lengths they go through in order to survive.
We planted 188,754 trees, pines and wild pears. Spring is the best time to plant pines, as they become dormant very late in fall.
We have worked in 4 areas: We planted 158,000 saplings in Lernajur 4, Lernajur 5 and in Dzorashen. We also did two big replanting operations, in Jrashen 1, and in Jrashen 2 of 30,754 trees. This is essential to ensure that the areas we plant become fully fledged forests.
We also hosted 146 volunteers from 4 companies - Ardshinbank, Nvidia, Veolia and Landmark Capital. While the first two companies have volunteered many times with us already, Veolia and Landmark Capital are new partners - we hope this will also become a regular operation for their teams. In total, volunteers planted 800 trees.
In addition, Nvidia collected trash in the Dilijan National park while contributing to plant trees as well.
We have worked in 4 areas: We planted 158,000 saplings in Lernajur 4, Lernajur 5 and in Dzorashen. We also did two big replanting operations, in Jrashen 1, and in Jrashen 2 of 30,754 trees. This is essential to ensure that the areas we plant become fully fledged forests.
We also hosted 146 volunteers from 4 companies - Ardshinbank, Nvidia, Veolia and Landmark Capital. While the first two companies have volunteered many times with us already, Veolia and Landmark Capital are new partners - we hope this will also become a regular operation for their teams. In total, volunteers planted 800 trees.
In addition, Nvidia collected trash in the Dilijan National park while contributing to plant trees as well.