What will the reforestation of La Gonave look like?

Reforestation of La Gonave and the Honey Bee project

Phase 1A.  Vetiver

Vetiver grass will be planted and reproduced on La Gonvae for future reforestation plans.  The grass holds onto the soil, and allows for good water retention due to its long root system.  The grass is resistant to drought and provides good soil buildup.  This grass is good for crops to be planted next to it.

Phase 1B.  Moringa Tree

This is called the "Miracle Tree" due to the entire tree being useful for human consumption.  The tree also can provide food for livestock as well.  This tree is fast growing and has very large roots.  It produces seeds which are designed to float to the ground near the tree, and will grow on their own.

These trees will have value in many different ways and will also be a crop that can be sold to markets on the island.

This tree will produce flowers that honeybees love.  In fact the honey that is created due to the flowers of the Moringa Tree is a lighter honey that tastes amazing.  This tree will provide some small scale shade cover on the ground and could be helpful in establishing other plants and trees.

Phase 1 C.  Rose of Sharon (Hisbiscus)

This plant is a tropical plant that produces a large amount of blooms.  This tree will add color to the landscape and also some ground shade cover.  Hisbiscus is the national flower of Haiti, and the Rose of Sharon is part of the Hisbiscus family.

Phase 1 D. Hisbiscus Plants

National flower the Hisbiscus comes in many different colors and often the flowers are the size of small dinner plates.  These tropical flowers also produces many buds which are very attractive to honey bees and other insects.  These plants will be planted in the reforestation of the island.

Phase 2 A. Banana Tree

The Musa Banana tree is a phase two plant that loves the vetiver and grows very well with it.  These Musa are designed to again add some height to the vegetation and help to add a wind break.  The tree (which is considered a plant) will also shade the ground, but this variety doesn't grow fruit.  Musa Banana trees grow very fast.

Phase 2 B. Carpentaria Palm Tree

This is a very fast growing palm tree that will be well suited for the Haitian climate.  This tree will act as a higher wind break and also will fan across the coast line.  Under suitable conditions this tree can grow some 6 feet in one year.  The tree, like many of the plants listed above (except vertiver) will be grown from seed.

---------------------------

The idea of reforestation on La Gonave is an approach that will occur over two years.  Now the entire island will not be reforested in that amount of time.  The approach is to have a starter segment near the coast line, which will feature the above vegetation.  Phase 1 will take place Year 1, which could start as soon as this year.  Phase 2 will start up in 2016.  The honey bee project is still being studied, and financed.  The actual hives will be located on La Gonave in 2016.  More on the hives in a later post.

Go Gonave!