Plant 10,000 Trees in Northern China

In the first half of the year, working with the local Forestry Bureaucracy, Shanghai Roots & Shoots team was able to access two plots to plant the trees this year. The two sites are located at Meng Gen Da Ba Pasture and Charisu Town, both in Horqin Zuoyi Houqi, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia. The total area of trees planted on the two plots is 129.53 hectares, owned by local farmers.

The first plot named 2023-1 is 23 km from east Ganqika. The majority part of the site is shifting sandy land and semi-shifting sandy land. Considering the local climate and hydrologic conditions, we chose ems, maples, poplars and caragana as the main tree species to plant. So far, all the planting work has been completed. To ensure afforestation quality, the team will increase the survival rates through follow-up measures such as nurturing and watering.

 During April and May, the rainfall was not sufficient, and windy and sandy weather happened a lot. The percentage of sprouted maples was low until late May when the rain improved the sprouting. On the other hand, the percentage of sprouted poplars was much better. By the end of the planting season, the survival rate of elm and maple saplings was estimated to be around 60%, and the survival rate of the poplars was estimated to be around 80%. 

The other plot named 2023-2 forest is 118 km from Ganqika. The terrain of this plot is rather flat, which is more suitable for poplars as the main tree species to plant. All the planting work in this plot has been completed also. The trees in the southern areas were growing slowly. Despite the sandy soil, the trees sprouted very well in the northern areas. We will continue to visit the forest sites and take follow-up measures.