Reforestation Update
Cedro Espino or Spiny Ceder
Right now here in Ojo de Agua we are in the middle and worst half of the rainy season. The weather has been horrible for any type of construction or earth moving, but great for the plantation of trees we planted in June of last year.
Macano Negro
The trees are growing rapidly on the mix of torrential down pours and hot tropical sun. To my surprise, some of the many Cedro Espino (Spiny Ceder), Nim and Papaya trees are up to 10 feet tall! Now that the fruit and hardwood trees have had a solid year to lay down roots, fertilizing and heavy pruning have been our priority. This rainy/planting season we have added around 70 more trees, mostly Cuban Palms and more Nim trees, filling in some of the unplanted gaps around the first phase of the property. We have already been able to enjoy some of the fruits of our labor. The Papayas, Tropical Apples, Guayaba and Mangos taste sweet and delicious. I can not believe that in less than a year we are eating fruit from the vine.
Fruit Trees
Also, this year we have been very busy planting colorful Boganvilllas, Crotans and other native flowering shrubs throughout the property. We specifically targeted dry season blooming plants that once mature will need limited watering and maintenance.
Coconut Palms
It is a beautiful experience watching, what only a year ago, was bare cattle pasture land quickly returning to natural forest. I am excited to see the coming changes in the following years. I placed a shovel next to some of the trees for perspective in the pictures. Most of these trees were less than a foot tall when planted.
Enjoy,
Charlie Botts
Papaya
