Courtesy image.
FLAGSTAFF — Tree planting has begun on the east side of the San Francisco Peaks across approximately 380 acres, and volunteers are being sought to help in the replanting efforts on Saturday (Aug. 17) from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The planting is taking place between Schultz Pass Road and Waterline Road in an area that was previously replanted after the 2010 Schultz Fire. The 2022 Pipeline and Tunnel fires burned across the same area and resulted in a total loss of 3,000 acres of replanted trees.
Although the fires of 2022 resulted in high mortality of these reforested acres, they also significantly reduced the amount of fuel loading to where there is a clean slate for the next generation of planting to begin.
This planting is significant not only because of the visual aesthetics and cultural importance of the San Francisco Peaks, but also because it can help reforest areas that burned uncharacteristically hot and may not naturally regenerate for over a hundred years. These planted trees will also help reduce soil erosion, improving wildlife habitat, while also restoring some of our timber base that was lost in these recent fires.
Those interested in volunteering to help replant trees on Saturday should contact Christopher Curley at Christopher.curley@usda.gov. Planting operations are expected to continue for the next three to four weeks.