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This is why we need reforestation!

​The Reforestation Initiative

Reforestation is a primary goal of our  park preservation efforts this year. 

state of the forest at brightwood

why doesn't the forest re-generate naturally?

Brightwood Park, once a xxxx forest, then saved for firewood for  the ...farm..., then slowly surrounded by suburban residential homes.  With this housing came landscaping practices that featured lovely but extremely invasive species, such as wisteria and japanese knotweed.  With no preditors or other curbs, the invasive species soon take over, out-competing native plants and trees. Wisteria, in particular, can kill full-grown trees by.........
Let's say that native tree seedlings do manage to take root and begin to grow.  The fauna in the park, particularly the deer, have no appetite for the abundant, but distasteful invasive species.  They are on the lookout for the native species that they have evolved to eat.  The seedlings and saplings are quickly eaten up!

how does climate change affect the forest?

The Plan

The Friends of Brightwood Park have made reforestation a primary goal of their park preservation efforts. 

Starting with input from ecologists and forest preservation experts (see below), we have selected a number of species to plant, determined the best sites for these trees and purchased....xxy in 2023 and xyz in 2024.

Our plan includes provisions for 
  • planting the trees
  • protecting the saplings from being eaten by deer and also from getting the bark rubbed by deer
  • watering
  • monitoring growth and health
Note that this project would not have been possible without the previous years of work by the invasive species strike team, who removed the wisteria and xyz and xyz so that new trees could be planted.

Progress

Select Trees
what trees are we planting?  why?  can this help guide people as they decide on new trees in their own yards?
Plant
a couple of lines about the planting plan
..picture of ppl planting trees....
Protect
  • The guards protect the trees from wild animals and prevent them from rubbing against the young bark.
  • Where several trees are close to each other, we use enclosures to help protect all the enclosed trees.
  • ​address the "eye sore" concerns?
Water
Watering is really a challenge....currently this is how we do it.
picture showing a tree being watered
map of locations?
Tree Locations
Here are the places we are planting new trees
October 2023
Tree and Shrub Planting Project

​With an eager and efficient crew, FOBP planted 160 trees and shrubs in Brightwood Park over three days in October 2023.  Though small now, these plants will help ensure the forest will be healthy for many years to come.

We will keep you posted on progress!  

 Thanks to all who volunteered! 
MORE about the Friends of Brightwood Park  Native Plants Project