One Springfield HOA’s effort to promote natural plantings fills a portion of an empty lot with small flowering and fruit trees and creates a better habitat for wildlife, while saving mowing expense; wildflowers will complete the ‘re-wilding’.
Paul Worsham and his daughter Alyssa join in the community hole digging to prep for tree planting
Tree placement on the lot mirrors the community’s house layout, so that each household has a designated native tree to monitor and maintain. The trees will be joined by native wildflowers grown by individual families from donated seed; and by wildflower seeds scattered into the soil for a re-wilding garden effect.
Community efforts such as this one, are encouraged by “Celebration of Trees,” a campaign organized by the nonprofit group Plant NoVA Natives (plantnovanatives.org).
“Whatever your priority (people, wildlife, planet, shade, beauty, clean air and water, erosion prevention, animal food and shelter) there is a reason why you should plant a native tree.”
Fairfax Releaf (fairfaxreleaf.com) is a volunteer non-profit group seeking “to conserve, restore and promote sustainable urban forests in Northern Virginia.”
Susan Laume is a Virginia Master Naturalist. See virginiamasternaturalist.org