permaculture

Workshop Module 8: Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo 227

Field activity : Tree planting and maintenance

Method : Participatory tree planting and maintenance

Tools : See preparation below

References : PC Book MOD 8 - Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo

Objective : Participants practice tree planting and maintenance techniques

Preparation

In the ‘Tree maintenance’ section of the PC Book MOD 8 - Forests, Tree Crops, and
Bamboo, there are many different explanations and exercises for tree planting and
maintenance. Any or all of these can all be covered in this practical exercise.

• The facilitator should choose the exercises that are most suitable to the area,
  people’s needs, and the workshop goals, including:
  
  
  • How to plant, water, fertilize and mulch the trees step by step.
  
  
  • Ideas for pruning fruit trees, forest trees, and legume trees.
  
  
  
  


• The facilitator, with representatives from the community, should identify
  appropriate sites for planting fruit and forest trees.


• The identification of appropriate established trees will be needed for the pruning
  exercise.

Collect the materials and tools needed for:

• Planting, watering, fertilizing, and mulching fruit and forest trees - The
  number of trees that will be used in this exercise will depend on the number of
  trees in the area, the number of participants, and the time available.


• Pruning established trees. Note: Pruning of fruit trees, beyond removing
  dead wood, should only be conducted if the facilitator has pruning experience.

Note: Bamboo watering pipes should be added when planting, especially for fruit
trees.

Running this exercise

• The facilitator should conduct an orientation to talk about the relevant
  techniques that will be practiced by the participants.


• Small groups can practice the following techniques on 1 or more fruit trees and
  1 or more forest tree:
  
  
  • Planting.
  
  
  • Watering.
  
  
  • Fertilizing.
  
  
  • Mulching.
  
  
  
  


• Then practice pruning some established trees with the participants.

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