Reforestation
Click on images to start slide shows for each item
There are right ways and wrong ways to reforest in the wet tropics. We are still learning, but after 15+ years of experience with planting trees, we're on the right track! Our best practices include:
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reforesting ONLY with species that are native to the region (we do also plant a few 'exotic' fruit species close to our facilities)
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sourcing seeds and seedlings as locally as possible to avoid moving different genotypes around the Amazon
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ensuring that tree seedlings are planted in appropriate habitat (including soil type, frequency of flooding, etc.).
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using no chemical fertilizers, fungicides or pesticides (we do use 100% organic neem-oil fungicide to control leaf-cutter ants which can defoliate a seedling overnight)
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growing seedlings in our shade-houses to sizes optimal for transport, planting and survival in the field.
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planting seedlings in regenerating agricultural land and pasture where we can jump-start the successional process with seedlings of primary forest trees.
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regular weeding and vine removal from saplings until they are 3-4 meters (10-12 feet) in height. After that, they can hold their own.
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providing seedlings to local land-owners to plant on their own lands. This adds value to their land and will provide future income while providing immediate ecological value.
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avoiding monocultures. In our planting areas we usually plant 8-12 different species of trees, and also leave naturally occurring seedlings of dozens of secondary forest species. We try to mimic the natural forest structure, which means keep it as diverse as possible!
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The tree species at right give a good idea of the variety of species that we plant. The list is NOT comprehensive though.
Shade-houses and arboretum at Santa Cruz Forest Reserve
Shade houses are essential for getting seeds and seedlings going. The strong tropical sun can rapidly burn and dry out tender seedlings.
Having more than one type of shade-cloth is very useful. Some primary forest species establish best in deep shade (the black shade-cloth) while other species like more light (the green shade-cloth)
Like anything else in the wet tropics, shade houses don't last forever! The wooden posts of this one rotted through, and it underwent a slow-motion collapse (no seedlings were harmed). With a bit of stitching up, the shade-cloth was recycled onto a new frame.
Shade houses are essential for getting seeds and seedlings going. The strong tropical sun can rapidly burn and dry out tender seedlings.
Garcinia macrophylla (Clusiaceae)
'charichuelos'
A flood-loving tree valued for its tart-sweet fruits appreciated by many animals, humans included.
Known locally as "charichuelos", paired leaves with narrow parallel veins and sticky yellow sap aid in identification.
Although it also grows in upland sites, charichuelos grows particularly well in seasonally flooded areas. This sapling is already fruiting at just 3-years of age.
A flood-loving tree valued for its tart-sweet fruits appreciated by many animals, humans included.
Apulea leiocarpa (Fabaceae)
'anacaspi'
A canopy tree in the legume family, 'ana caspi' has incredibly hard, heavy and rot-resistant wood. In Quechua, 'caspi' simply means tree, while 'ana' can mean 'tool or work'.
The durable wood is highly valued for bridges, boat keels, and other outdoor construction. These 4 meter (12') beams weigh about 55 kg (120 lbs) each, and were carried about 1 km (> 1 mile) through the forest.
Thick ana caspi boards screwed onto the beams provide the walking surface of the bridge. As you can note, the area under the bridge is now flooded, and will eventually have a 1-2 meter (3-6') water depth below the bridge deck.
A canopy tree in the legume family, 'ana caspi' has incredibly hard, heavy and rot-resistant wood. In Quechua, 'caspi' simply means tree, while 'ana' can mean 'tool or work'.
Manilkara bidentata (Sapotaceae)
''quinilla'
"Quinilla" (key-knee-ah) is multi-use rainforest tree with white latex, edible fruits and a hard durable wood. Young trees cast a dense shade which helps to shade out competing weeds and vines.
Seedlings grow relatively quickly, and are usually ready to plant out in semi-shade after 5-7 months of care.
"Quinilla" (key-knee-ah) is multi-use rainforest tree with white latex, edible fruits and a hard durable wood. Young trees cast a dense shade which helps to shade out competing weeds and vines.
Simarouba amara (Simaroubaceae)
'marupá''
"Marupa" is a fast growing tree that is fairly common in the region. When a large tree fruits, thousands of seedlings can be found under it, gently pulled up and potted. The newest growth typically has a reddish color.
Older seedlings turn green, and plants can typically be planted out 3-4 months after potting.
The red-eyed treebug is so consistently found on "marupa" trees that it is often easier to find trees by looking for the bugs, rather than looking for the characteristic leaves which are often way over your head. Clusters of the bugs can appear downright demonic though!
"Marupa" is a fast growing tree that is fairly common in the region. When a large tree fruits, thousands of seedlings can be found under it, gently pulled up and potted. The newest growth typically has a reddish color.
Vitex triflora (Verbenaceae)
'paliperro'
"Paliperro" is a member of the verbena plant family, but unlike the shrubby or herbaceous examples found in temperate zones, grows into a canopy tree.
The seeds are fairly small, but germinate well in seedbeds, and once the seedlings are several centimeters tall, they can be gently uprooted and repotted in planting bags.
Beetles love the young leaves and leave them full of holes, but despite the leaf damage, growth is quite fast.
"Paliperro" is a member of the verbena plant family, but unlike the shrubby or herbaceous examples found in temperate zones, grows into a canopy tree.
Minquartia guianensis (Olacaceae)
'huacapu'
"Huacapu" (wa-ka-poo) is a tree that grows well in seasonally flooded areas along rivers and creeks. The very hard wood is much in demand for the corner posts of stilt-houses, bridges, and any use where wood may be continually wet.
Strong parallel venation is useful in identifying seedlings, and once established, the tree grows well in both seasonally flooded and upland sites.
"Huacapu" (wa-ka-poo) is a tree that grows well in seasonally flooded areas along rivers and creeks. The very hard wood is much in demand for the corner posts of stilt-houses, bridges, and any use where wood may be continually wet.
Calycophyllum spruceanum
(Rubiaceae) 'capirona del bajo'
Known locally as 'capirona', this is a fast-growing tree that is particularly common on sandy seasonally-flooded soils, particularly along large rivers.
The wood is quite heavy but brittle. Furniture made from it is durable, but pieces need to be drilled and screwed, as nailing causes the wood to split.
Known locally as 'capirona', this is a fast-growing tree that is particularly common on sandy seasonally-flooded soils, particularly along large rivers.
Copaifera reticulata (Fabaceae)
'copaiba, diesel tree'
A four-year old sapling of "copaiba" or the "diesel tree". This legume produces a thick resin that is used in varnishes and lacquers, and in the past was also mixed with diesel fuel to stretch a hard-to-obtain resource for engines.
As with many other rainforest legume trees, leaves have multiple leaflets with curving shapes. The species fixes nitrogen in the soil, helping to enrich the nutrient poor soils of the Amazon.
Seeds of this species are hard to come by, and often have poor germination, so we are hoping that the arboretum saplings will start fruiting soon and provide a local source of fresh seed for propagation.
A four-year old sapling of "copaiba" or the "diesel tree". This legume produces a thick resin that is used in varnishes and lacquers, and in the past was also mixed with diesel fuel to stretch a hard-to-obtain resource for engines.
Dipteryx macrocarpa/micrantha
(Fabaceae) ' shihuahuaco'
"Shihuahuaco" (she-wa-wa-ko) or "charapilla" (cha-ra-pee-ya) is another of the many legume trees found in the Amazon. It grows to be a canopy emergent with beautifully grained reddish-brown wood.
The seed pods have a sweet coating eaten by animals, and macaws and large parrots also break open the pods to eat the nuts inside. Fortunately they are sloppy eaters, so we gather up dropped pods below the canopy of parent trees at the forest reserve. Alternate soaking and drying of the pods over the course of a week results in a high germination rate.
The tallest tree in the back is one of our seed trees at Santa Cruz and is about 35 meters (120') in height. When fruiting, it attracts large numbers of parrots.
"Shihuahuaco" (she-wa-wa-ko) or "charapilla" (cha-ra-pee-ya) is another of the many legume trees found in the Amazon. It grows to be a canopy emergent with beautifully grained reddish-brown wood.
Hymenaea courbaril (Fabaceae)
''azucar huayo'
This four-year old sapling shows a different growth form in a sunny location than it would in the shade. When shaded, tropical trees get leggy, reaching for higher light levels as soon as possible. In high light levels, they become more dome shaped, maximizing their light exposure.
One of the legume trees that becomes a canopy giant, this species is known as "azucar huayo" or "sugar fruit" after the sweet coating on the seedpods. The coating is relished by monkeys, parrots and other animals.
The large 2-cm (3/4') seeds germinate readily and produce robust seedlings. We collect the seeds under the canopy of known "mother" trees.
This four-year old sapling shows a different growth form in a sunny location than it would in the shade. When shaded, tropical trees get leggy, reaching for higher light levels as soon as possible. In high light levels, they become more dome shaped, maximizing their light exposure.
Aniba rosiodora (Lauraceae)
'palo de rosa, rosewood'
Palo de rosa, or rosewood, is an endangered species (IUCN) in the Amazon due to unchecked harvesting for essential oils and high-quality wood valued for fine musical instruments. The species has been extirpated from most areas close to human habitation.
These seedlings represent 10's of 1000's of dollars of value if they make it to maturity. The essential oil distilled from rosewood is most famously used in the perfume Chanel #5.
A newly planted seedling at the Santa Cruz Forest Reserve. These seedlings need considerable shade and even at this size, have a delightful odor. In July 2020, we planted about 700 seedlings.
Palo de rosa, or rosewood, is an endangered species (IUCN) in the Amazon due to unchecked harvesting for essential oils and high-quality wood valued for fine musical instruments. The species has been extirpated from most areas close to human habitation.
Bertholletia excelsa (Lecythidaceae)
'castaña, Brazil nut'
Young leaves of the brazil nut tree are produced in "flushes" of new leaves. This helps to prevent a potential insect pest from consuming all of the tender foliage before it has time to toughen up.
Older leaves have lots of cellulose, lignin and indigestible compounds that make them unpalatable to herbivores. These leaves may last for two years or longer before they are shed by the tree.
The trees in our arboretum are tagged with their planting dates and a unique ID number on a durable aluminum tag. This helps us keep track of their history.
Young leaves of the brazil nut tree are produced in "flushes" of new leaves. This helps to prevent a potential insect pest from consuming all of the tender foliage before it has time to toughen up.
Plant a Tree in Peru!
We always encourage visitors to our Amazon field sites to plant their own "personal" tree, but even if you can't visit in person, you can still plant trees through our reforestation program. Our on-the-ground costs include the purchase of locally-sourced seeds and seedlings, planting bags, organic compost and sand, shade-house materials and maintenance, weeding and some transportation.
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Depending on seed availability and rarity, it costs us from US $2 to US $5 to get a sapling firmly established in the ground. We'll say an average of US $2.50 / tree.
Carapa guianensis (Meliaceae)
'andiroba, swamp mahogany'
"Andiroba" (an-dee-row-bah) or swamp mahogany is one of the most versatile and valued timber species in the Amazon. Seed pods weighing up to 2/3 kg (1.5 lbs) have 8-12 large seeds that can be planted directly in the ground (the case here) or in planting bags.
Initial growth of seedlings is very fast since the seeds have considerable nutrient reserves. After the initial flush of growth, however, saplings are vulnerable to attack by shoot-boring moth caterpillars. Once saplings reach ~3 m (~10') in height though, they are mostly immune to the moths and trees can reach 15 m (~48') in the space of 8-10 years.
The wood contains a natural insecticide that deters termites and wood-borers, and it is also easy to work with both hand tools and machinery, making it very popular for durable construction. Many of our field station structures are built of this wood (but for every tree we cut, we also plant a few dozen seedlings!).
"Andiroba" (an-dee-row-bah) or swamp mahogany is one of the most versatile and valued timber species in the Amazon. Seed pods weighing up to 2/3 kg (1.5 lbs) have 8-12 large seeds that can be planted directly in the ground (the case here) or in planting bags.
Guarea guidonia (Meliaceae)
'requia'
"Requia" (ray-key-ah) grows well in seasonally flooded areas and has a high-quality wood for many uses. Since it grows near rivers and is thus easily accessible to loggers and community members, it is often over-harvested.
If you think these seedlings look just like any number of other seedlings, you are right. It takes a sharp eye and considerable experience to identify seedlings at this size. Happily some of our neighbors are experts in doing so. Most people in rural Amazonia can identify the plants and uses of dozens of native species, and some know the identity and uses of hundreds of species of plants.
"Requia" (ray-key-ah) grows well in seasonally flooded areas and has a high-quality wood for many uses. Since it grows near rivers and is thus easily accessible to loggers and community members, it is often over-harvested.
Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae)
'cedro, Spanish cedar'
Maclura tinctoria (Moraceae)
'insira'
"Insira" (in-sear-ah) is a smallish tree in the fig family. The bright yellow roots and wood, and short spiky branches on the lower trunk make it easy to recognize in the forest. Fruits are quite edible and resemble green mulberries.
Seedlings are tiny - basically you mush up the fruit and smear it on the top of a seedbed with a tiny bit of soil on top. The wood is hard and durable and the bark and wood is used as a cure for toothaches, having reported anesthetic properties.
"Insira" (in-sear-ah) is a smallish tree in the fig family. The bright yellow roots and wood, and short spiky branches on the lower trunk make it easy to recognize in the forest. Fruits are quite edible and resemble green mulberries.
Virola peruviana (Myristicaceae)
'caupuri, cumala caupuri'
Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae)
''ubos, motelo huayo'
Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae)
'lupuna, kapok tree'
Brosimum rubescens (Moraceae)
'palisangre, bloodwood'
Grias newberthii (Lecythidaceae)
'sacha mango, jungle mango'
"Sacha mango" is a tree, not a collection of alien tentacles! This is one of several Amazonian trees that have been domesticated over millennia by indigenous peoples.
"Sacha mango" literally means "jungle mango". It bears a vaguely mango-shaped and sized fruit on short branches on the lower part of the tree trunk. While most of the fruit is comprised of a large seed, a thin layer of flesh over the seed has the texture of carrot and a pleasant nutty flavor. A perfect jungle snack. Due to their large size, the seeds can be planted directly in the soil rather than being potted up.
"Sacha mango" is a tree, not a collection of alien tentacles! This is one of several Amazonian trees that have been domesticated over millennia by indigenous peoples.
Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae)
'caoba, mahogany'
"Caoba" (ka-oh-ba) is the wood that the desks of kings, presidents, and billionaires is made of. Needless to say it is endangered, and most of the caoba exported from the Amazon is harvested illegally from "protected" areas.
Seeds are expensive - about $200 per kg (when they are available). We have a single identified parent tree in our larger region and these seeds were collected under it. The very long "wing" helps disperse the seeds when a gust of wind knocks them loose from the seed pod.
"Caoba" (ka-oh-ba) is the wood that the desks of kings, presidents, and billionaires is made of. Needless to say it is endangered, and most of the caoba exported from the Amazon is harvested illegally from "protected" areas.
Pouteria caimito (Sapotaceae)
'caimito'
Couma macrocarpa (Sapotaceae)
'leche caspi'
Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae)
'aguaje'
Guazuma crinita (Malvaceae)
'bolaina blanca'
Bolaina ('bow-lay-na') is a fast growing tree in the mallow family. The seeds are tiny and best raked lightly into a seedbed then transplanted when a few cm tall.
The wood is very light and useful only for produce boxes, concrete molds, and similiar once-only uses. It is a good tree for quickly establishing some shade in degraded habitats.
Bolaina ('bow-lay-na') is a fast growing tree in the mallow family. The seeds are tiny and best raked lightly into a seedbed then transplanted when a few cm tall.
Inga edulis (Fabaceae)
'guaba, ice-cream bean'
Schizolobium amazonicum (Fabaceae)
'pino chuncho'
An early successional very fast growing species useful for enriching the soil and providing some shade for other trees. Seeds are large and germinate quickly.
This plant is only a few months old and can reach 10-20 meters (35-70') in 4 or 5 years. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, this is an excellent restoration tree for impoverished soils.
An early successional very fast growing species useful for enriching the soil and providing some shade for other trees. Seeds are large and germinate quickly.
Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae)
'mango'
Plinia clausa (Myrtaceae)
'anahuayo, anihuayo'
Seeds are fairly large and germinate quickly, but seedlings can be somewhat delicate and need fairly rich soil to thrive.
Campomanesia lineatifolia (Myrtaceae)
'palillo'
Along with other native fruiting trees, we are working to establish a variety of food sources on degraded parts of our reserves to serve as an attractant to various animal species.
Palillo ('pah-lee-oh') is another native fruit related to the guava. Fruits can sometimes be found in marketplaces, but they don't last long so they are mostly eaten on the spot when found.
Along with other native fruiting trees, we are working to establish a variety of food sources on degraded parts of our reserves to serve as an attractant to various animal species.
Couepia subcordata
(Chrysobalanaceae) 'parinari'
This species is sometimes planted as a shade tree in city parks in the region.
Parinari ('par-ee-nar-ee') grows into an attractive mid-sized tree with edible orange fruits with a musty smell to them. The undersides of the leaves are silvery.
This species is sometimes planted as a shade tree in city parks in the region.
Quararibea cordata (Malvaceae)
'zapote, sapote'
Zapote or sapote from the Amazon is not-at-all related to similarly named fruit trees from Central America and the Caribbean. Trees grow quickly once established, and the flowers are a huge hummingbird attractant.
The brownish fruits (at the very top of this sampling of native fruits) have several large seeds inside, each covered by stringy orange flesh with a flavor reminiscent of mango.
Zapote or sapote from the Amazon is not-at-all related to similarly named fruit trees from Central America and the Caribbean. Trees grow quickly once established, and the flowers are a huge hummingbird attractant.
species? (Family)
'common name'
Cedrelinga cateniformis (Fabaceae)
'tornillo'
The local name is the Spanish word for screw, since when seeds germinate, the new seedling emerges in a cork-screw fashion.
Tornillo ('tore-knee-oh') is a legume tree much in demand for its high quality timber, and consequently seriously over-harvested
The local name is the Spanish word for screw, since when seeds germinate, the new seedling emerges in a cork-screw fashion.
Euterpe precatoria (Arecaceae)
'huasai'
Poraqueiba sericea (Metteniusaceae)
'umari'
Those not brought up with the fruit may find it distasteful, but the locals, both human and animal, love it.
Umari ('ooh-ma-ree') is a native tree that has been domesticated for millennia. Fruits have a nutritious coating over the seed which is scraped off and used like butter, or simply eaten directly.
Those not brought up with the fruit may find it distasteful, but the locals, both human and animal, love it.
Colubrina glandulosa (Rhamnaceae)
'shaina'