Creating pathways for farmers to integrate trees into their productive landscape.
Since 2019, PUR has partnered with Forests Ontario to implement and monitor tree-planting projects in Southern Ontario. We are creating pathways for farmers to integrate trees into their productive landscape, aiming to connect fragmented forest islands, restore ecosystem services, and generate benefits for farmers.
This farm is made up of 100 acres: 4.5 acres are an orchard and 90 acres produce corn and soybean.
In 2021, trees were planted to protect the orchard from strong winds. Additionally, the farmer was inspired to plant trees as carbon sinks to help mitigate the effects of the current climate crisis.
Despite facing several threats in 2021 — including mice infestations and waterlogging — the monitoring results from 2022 showed that these trees are in good health, with an excellent 90% survival rate.
To enhance the long-term health of newly planted trees, PUR implements in-depth land preparation. This is an essential component of tree planting and agroforestry systems, which can include mulching, tilling, irrigating, fertilizing, and cover cropping.
Planting trees or shrubs around water sources, reducing erosion and protecting waterways by filtering excess runoff from agricultural production.
This farm has been in the same family for several generations. The owners rent part of the land to a tenant farmer, who primarily grows corn and soybean.
In 2021, both the landowner and tenant farmer decided to plant a windbreak alongside one of the working fields, for two main reasons: to protect the property from strong wind patterns, and to more easily plow and till waterlogged fields.
In 2022, PUR visited the Dalston site. Although there was some bug and weed pressure, the trees were in good health — with survival at approximately 95%. American Sycamore has been the most successful
tree species planted at this site.
Twelve years ago, this third-generation dairy farm transitioned to the organic production of row crops — such as corn, soy, and alfalfa. The landowners of this farm have also implemented several regenerative agriculture practices such as crop rotations, cover cropping, and windbreaks.
In 2022, the owners of the Mossley site decided to incorporate three windbreaks around their fields, in order to protect their crops from extreme weather patterns. One of the windbreaks was composed of one row of Norway Spruce, while the other two windbreaks were composed of two rows: one of Norway Spruce and the other of Eastern White Cedar.
This site was also prepared with thick plastic mulch, which helps to minimize the presence of competitive weeds and retain soil moisture.
Composed of 42 hectares, this farm is currently being used for pasturing animals.
While the landowners are selecting which crops to produce, they have decided to reforest some of their fields and establish windbreaks in order to create a beautiful space for walks and leisure.
The species planted at this site were: Hybrid Poplar, Black Walnut, European Larch, White Spruce, White Pine, Red Oak, and Butternut Hickory.
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