Six Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria transplanted dozens of trees Saturday at the 75-acre Casey Trees Farm near Berryville, Virginia. The farm grows trees primarily for use in helping the District of Columbia achieve 40 percent tree canopy by 2032.
The Tree Stewards were among 28 volunteers helping to plant a huge new field with many species of trees. Crews at the non-profit’s farm had used augers to dig large, shallow holes and line them with root bags. Volunteers and staff removed loose soil from the root bags and placed young saplings into the holes after scuffing up the roots and making sure the root flare was at the right height. Then they added soil, tamping it down to eliminate air pockets, and moving on to the next root bag.
Among the species planted were witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), pawpaw (Asimia triloba), several varieties of oaks, maples, and evergreens. Tree Steward volunteers were Andrew Benjamin, Steve Campbell, Catherine Harris, Bonnie Petry, Pattee Ryan and Jo Allen.
