Wow! Our Seedlings Are Starting To Look Like Real Trees!

The almost unlimited optimism that has guided our collective vision for the eventual restoration of the TropicRiverWoods acreage has now been tempered by a heretofore unanticipated reality: a former tropical rainforest tract that has been previously cleared for various farming pursuits can become rather hot, dry and reluctant to return to its virginal fecund, green state...without some manmade intervention. 

While the trip just concluded by Paul in June, 2004 DID bring smiles of encouragement in the form of healthy seedlings throughout the property, it was also a bit troubling.  What was disconcerting were the encounters with the unexpected dryness of the soil, yellowing (burning) of some of the young trees' leaves and the general aridity of the area's weather patterns.  June normally produces upwards of 30 inches of rain in the Bocas del Toro region.  In 2004, only about 6 inches had fallen by the time of Paul's inspection trip.  Without the clouds, the temperatures soared from "normal" mid 80's to unseasonable mid 90's.  Not that good for our reforestation efforts!

Discussing the water issues, Paul and Filiberto decided that a well must be dug and irrigation would be installed as soon as possible to compensate for nature's shortfall.  Paul said to Filiberto that "we've all worked too much to let our dreams wither now."  Filiberto agreed and has begun the arduous task of well digging.  He forecast completion of the solar-powered irrigation project by early September.  As if to thank us for our thoughtful intervention on behalf of this fledgling forest, Mother Nature has provided abundant rainfall as Filiberto toils on the future pozo (well.)  Our trees will be assured of steady, dependable life-giving water after the irrigation project is completed; right now, the weather is cooperating.

What follows is a pictoral dairy of June's TRW discoveries and progress!  We hope that you'll enjoy viewing this newest "chapter" in TRW's eternal evolution.  There will be no turning back; TRW will succeed.

The beginning of our "escalera", or stairs, to faciliate the enjoyment of the property better at TRW can be seen.

Young Balsa Tree (Ochromia pyramidale) begins to gain height.

Trumpet Tree (Cecropia indica), a favorite of Toucans, is growing rapidly on the hillside.

Noni fruit begins to get its' characteristic shiny leaves and symmetrical tree form.

Filiberto Reid, our friend, tireless foreman and adjoining land owner,contemplates where to dig the well.

Evidence of the dry weather can been seen by the evidence of smoke along the distant horizon.

A cut-out of the land is necesarry in order to place the myriad of footpaths that will be needed at TRW due to the hilly nature of the landscape.

A myriad of the young trees, (trumpet, guava, noni, teak) can been seen in this view with one of the stairways in the background.

Another view of the first stairway constructed with many plantings.

Guavas planted by Filiberto to provide shadecover for the young palms to be planted soon.

More guavas for both protection for young palm trees and a favorite food for the birds.

During the last trip, in March, Brad traveled along the roadside and found these wildflowers which he transplanted at TRW and are doing suprisingly well due to where they were planted, in the shade and moist loam at the top of the hill.

A view down the country road alongside TRW that will beckon tourists to stop by.

More wildflowers discovered during Brad's roadside search for flora.

View up the road looking east toward Almirante where tourists will debark from their boats from the island tourist areas of Bocas Del Toro.

Haze on the horizon caused by brush fires is yet another reason to help reforest once green hills.

Some more cecropia trees to provide quick shade for tender seedlings.

Paul standing next to one of the palms Brad found on our plant collecting walk.

Our masocta parrot that Filiberto raised from a baby was happy to show off by doing some tricks in his tree.

Filiberto's son, Raphael, sitting on what is to become the supports of the TRW visitors center.

Some of our earliest poinciana plants already blooming.

Some of the laurels growing near the location of the future visitor's center.

Young balsa trees being raised to provide quick shade for future seedlings.

A bismarck palm gets a good start on one of the TRW hillsides.

Ice cream bean in the foreground, and a royal poinciana in the back, will provide wonderful shade and colourful flowers around the visitors center.

Filiberto examines the landscape for future irrigation placement.

Assorted palm seedlings sprouting up on the hillside.

Filiberto's wife, Herminia, joined Paul and Filiberto and surveyed the landscape, admiring the beautiful progress.

One of the pathways being built at TRW which will allow visitors to more easily enjoy the landscape.

Filiberto examining one of the miniature poincianas in bloom.  Note all of the seed casings.  It is incredible considering that the plants are only about 4 months old!

Our next scheduled Panamá trip will commence in mid November.  Both rain and our new irrigation system should encourage significant gains in tree growth at TRW.   Hopefully, we'll begin to witness the reversal in the unfortunate late 20th Century trend of desertification in our part of Bocas del Toro Province!


 

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