TREES

From page A8

grew oak seedlings that were from the original stock found at Hurricane Lake.

“Baucum Nursery really helped us out,” Green said. “They gave us our own bed to keep our trees separate from others they were growing. All of the trees we planted came from Hurricane originally. Conditions weren’t favorable last year for planting the trees, but this summer’s dry spell enabled AGFC contractors to plant 168 acres with the propagated saplings. Approximately 40,000 saplings were planted, with 8,200 of those young trees being 2 years old.

“Those 2-year-old trees were chest high,” Willey said. “They should have a good jumpstart to get established.”

Green says he oversaw crews to cut out competing trees and shrubs that have begun to grow since the deadening earlier this year to prepare the area, and workers completed the planting fairly quickly.

“The herbaceous growth is still fairly thick in there, but these trees have a good chance of becoming the next forest,” Green said. “We also prepared another 164 acres of the area for planting next year and are budgeting the money to prep another 133 acres to be planted in 2026 if conditions allow.”

Visit agfc.com for more information about the many recovery projects initiated and planned for Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMAby the AGFC.