For both local socio-economic development and to attract endangered wildlife and birds, we are planting a large number of tropical fruit trees. Foremost is the cashew tree or Anacardium occidentale (Marañon in Spanish). Our second choice are Mango trees or Mangifera indica, followed by Tamarind trees or Tamarindus indica, Jackfruits or Artocarpus heterophyllus, Merecure or Licania pyrifolia, Moringa trees or Moringa oleifera  and many others. Visit our gallery to see pictures of some of these tropical trees.

Tree Seedlings in the Nursery

Amazonia Reforestation's afforestation and reforestation program starts in our tree nursery. Once a tree seedling is established (10 to 12 weeks) it is transplanted in the middle of the wet season, to set deep roots before the dry season. Our tropical trees are not farmed, but rather ranched. Every tree is inspected on a regular basis, pruned and fertilized as required, and straightened with cords if necessary for best hardwood lumber quality. Undergrowth is cleared by hand with a machete, as powertools can damage the trees, affecting their hardwood lumber value. See our gallery for tree nursery images. Some 1,200 trees can be planted per hectare, by placing them about 2.80 meters or 9 feet apart. Tropical trees are planted in a grid, helping to control undergrowth and brush or forest fires.

Tree Planting

At Amazonia Reforestation we plant tropical trees on an industrial scale. Our 105 HP tractor breaks the soil to a depth of 75 cm or 30 inches, because tropical trees set deep roots quickly. The soil is fertilized with a special forestry mix that includes lime to reduce soil acidity and keep the soil soft for tree planting. It contains elements such as boron that prevent diseases like leaf rust. Finally, the tree seedlings are transplanted into the soil in the middle of the wet season, so that by the time the dry season arrives they are well established in the soil.

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Planting Report 2009             Planting Report 2010            Planting Report 2011