Please join us this October to plant riparian buffers on October 24th, 25th, or 30th! We are planting in the Jamaica,  Saxtons River, and Grafton areas and want YOU to help us. Free swag available to all volunteers!

If you are interested in learning more details, please fill out the form below. See more tree planting information after our flier!

Tree Planting Volunteer Description: 

Thank you for your interest in tree planting! We appreciate connecting volunteers with the Windham County landscape. When you sign up for a tree planting, you will be sent an email prior to the planting detailing where the planting is, where parking is, what to bring, and what we will bring. We start our plantings with a quick description of the site, a demonstration on best planting practices, and then break up into teams/groups as applicable. Note: We will share the information below with you onsite!

Tree planting requires a few tasks that can be done in teams. The task most people think of is digging. Digging the proper width and depth is important for the long-term health of the tree. In addition, trees should be spaced apart properly. Often, the preferred distance is 4 feet or about a shovel’s length apart. At some plantings, the recommendations will differ. This is typically due to tree species or wildlife habitat. Another task is situating the plant into the hole. Soil should fill in around the tree and be gently pressed around the roots. Lastly, we typically water the plants. We often haul 5 gallon buckets into a nearby stream to get water. When watering new stems, it is important to create a small well around the stem to make sure the soil is visibly moist. Take care when adding water that the roots do not become exposed or the stem does not move as this would indicate that more soil is needed or that it needs to be better packed around the stem. At the end of this page, we have a quick walk-through of best planting practices.

 Lastly, but most importantly, is safety. We encourage people to wear long pants and comfortable shoes that can get muddy. We will bring some gloves but you may want to bring your own for the best fit to protect yourself from poison ivy, thorny plants, etc. We will have a water refill station (bringing a water bottle for yourself will save us cups) and snacks and will recommend that you take breaks as you need to. We will also provide sunscreen and bug spray to protect you from the elements. People of all ages and abilities are welcome; please let us know how we can support you.

How do you plant a bareroot plant?

1. Use the spade tip from your shovel for planting measurements. Remove the grassy  layer and break up sod clumps to use for filing in the hole. 
2. Dig a hole equivalent to the plant root width and depth. Keep the soil close to the hole.
3. Find the root crown or soil level line on the plant. Make sure you don’t plant deeper than that line!
4. Pack the soil around the plant but avoid fully compacting the soil. If needed, create a small depression at the base of the plant for watering. 

• Note: Please keep your shovel planted safely in the ground or out of the way of others to prevent accidental tripping hazards.