Trees for Mt Lemmon Facts
All proceeds of this project are dedicated to restoring the landscape on private and community property damaged by the Aspen Fire of 2003.
The Aspen Fire of June and July 2003, devastated more than 325 structures and 84,000 acres of forest land, approximately one square mile being private property. Serious watershed and erosion issues and a concern for the invasion of non-native species to the area resulted. Trees for Mt. Lemmon addresses the health of private and community lands in a neighbor-to-neighbor approach to educate property owners and reforest and re-vegetate burned areas using trees, shrubs and other plants of local origin.
The Santa Catalina Mountains outside Tucson are a designated Sky Island. The majestic Ponderosa Pine and other trees and vegetation are varieties unique to this area. Maintaining these species on Mt. Lemmon is accomplished by developing local seed sources for our planting programs.
Reforestation to FireWise standards is key to this project. FireWise is a national organization that promotes the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Program, and Summerhaven is actively developing FireWise practices. Educational opportunities to teach property owners important FireWise principles are included in the Trees for Mt. Lemmon activities. The project is expected to take five to seven years with propagation and planting of trees and shrubs each year.
Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir and White Fir seedlings are grown at Northern Arizona University under the direction of Brad Blake. Community volunteers oversee the project, and trees are distributed to property owners on Mt. Lemmon in July and August of each year. Before receiving their trees, recipients are required to attend a free educational program on tree planting and care as well as FireWise landscaping principles. In addition, Trees for Mt. Lemmon has provided funds to develop three Demonstration Gardens in the Village to illustrate FireWise landscape techniques for businesses and homeowners as they rebuild, and works to incorporate proper planting guidelines for the proposed Master Plan development of Summerhaven.
Trees for Mt Lemmon actively participates with the U. S. Forest Service, Arizona State Land Department, the Mt. Lemmon Fire Department and other entities to protect the remaining trees, homes and buildings and to create and implement a Forest Land Management Plan.
Last updated 9/07/2007