During previous visits, we assessed the habitat conditions, including tree species composition and soil type. We managed to establish that around the water reservoirs there are mainly: European oaks and black alders. On the other hand, the plants growing around are typical for alkaline soils.
All this allowed us to choose tree species that will withstand the difficult habitat conditions around the mineral resource mine. Our choice was black alder (Alnus glutinosa), spreading elm/ European white elm (Ulmus laevis) and one-seed hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
Digging pits for a row of 8 black alders caused us a lot of difficulties, especially since our seedlings had an open root system. We chose this material because it was treated with mycorrhiza and trees of this species naturally grow on drainage ditches and around ponds. Thus, our black alders will constitute a coherent concept and will be an insulating greenery on the side of the road. Fruiting trees will in the future become a source of food for: Eurasian siskin and common redpoll.
Before the alders, we planted 24 seedlings of European white elm. In order to dig in the seedlings, we used the equipment used for forest planting, i.e. dibber. Young trees were fed with a mixture of garden soil and mole mounds. In addition, we planted a one-seed hawthorn, which in the future will bear fruit and give food: robins, blackbirds, waxwings, thrushes, and it will allow for the safe setting of nests for red-backed shrike.
