In Baltimori, on a parcel called La Banda, covering approximately 7 hectares, 23,874 trees were planted with the help of Go Forest clients. Reforestation efforts began in the second half of 2021 and were completed by the end of 2024.
This site boasts a wide diversity of native species. Notable highlights include rosewood, cacao, and several aromat...Read more
In Baltimori, on a parcel called La Banda, covering approximately 7 hectares, 23,874 trees were planted with the help of Go Forest clients. Reforestation efforts began in the second half of 2021 and were completed by the end of 2024.
This site boasts a wide diversity of native species. Notable highlights include rosewood, cacao, and several aromatic relatives of rosewood that hold promising potential for the fragrance industry. A particularly dominant species in this parcel is Flemingia macrophylla, locally known simply as flemingia. Though it's a relatively small tree, it plays a powerful role in the ecosystem. Flemingia is a prolific producer of organic matter and mulch, and also contributes by fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators with its flowers, and possibly even improving soil health through its anti-nematode properties.
In total, 28 different species have been planted on this parcel. Alongside rosewood, cacao, and flemingia, other species include Huasaí, Bobinsana, Espintana, Cinamillo, Moena Naranja, Huayo Blanco, Cacahuillo, Shihuahuaco, Coca, Hungurahui, Moquete de Tigre, Copoazú, Copaiba, Copal, Sachavaca papaya, Caoba, Canela Moena, Estoraque, Chimicua, Palta moena, Guanabana, Gustavia, Arazá, and Limoncillo.
What enables such a large number of flemingia trees to thrive in this parcel is a unique management technique known as radical pruning. Once a year, the trees are pruned back to tall stumps, and the resulting biomass is used as a nitrogen-rich mulch to cover and enrich the soil. While this method prevents the trees from growing large enough to store significant carbon in their trunks, it allows them to make meaningful contributions to soil carbon and overall soil fertility. Their rapid growth also makes them excellent tutor trees, helping to create a humid, shaded microclimate that supports the early development of more sensitive tree seedlings.
The process begins with seed collection in the nearby forests. Once seeds have grown into seedlings, they are stored safely and go through a hardening process to improve their survival rate once planted. When the rainy season arrives, the seedlings are planted out into nature.