Tree planting in Qanasiassat, Greenland
We discovered that south of Narsarsuaq in Southern Greenland, the Agricultural Consulting Service in Greenland were planting trees. The climate is approximately as in Troms in Northern Norway. The Vikings used to live here. Across the fjord from Narsarsuaq is Brattalid, the home of Leif Erikson, who discovered America. It is a beautiful area. There are even direct flights from Iceland to Narsarsuaq. In fact, you have not tasted real coffee if you have not had one in the Blue Ice Cafe! We also have the International Appalachian Trail running through the area.
Coast Alive decided, not so much in terms of carbon offsetting, but perhaps more in terms of helping an interesting project, to levy a small tax of 5% on all travel and subsistence costs. The profits would go to fencing and tree planting. The money does not come from the EU grant, only from the partners. It is not a large sum, but we discovered that for around one Euro, we could buy one tree.
It took some time before the area we came to know on the map was finally in the process of being planted. By the end of October 2012 we know that fencing has been purchased and 1210 trees have been planted. The types of trees were chosen by the forestry experts for durability and ability to survive the climate. They settled on 400 Larch (Larix sukaczewi), together with a test sample of 10 Russian Larch Hrymur (Larix decidua x sibirica), 320 Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis), 320 Sitka Spruce (Picea x luzii) and 240 Engelman Spruce (Picea engelmanni).
If these trees are allowed to grow they should hopefully create a nice cluster. Sitka is such a huge tree if conditions are right, it would be a great contribution to the landscape, together with the North American Engelman Spruce. The ‘cross bred’ Picea x luzii is very interesting. One ‘parent’ is the Sitka, the other input comes from the White Spruce which grows very far north in North America. The Russian Larch has similar antecedents from north-eastern Russia and Siberia. This planting is the first in Greenland to introduce this particular specimen.
Cand Agro. Anne Jensen did a tremendous job organising the planting this year and only just managed to see the job done before she returned to Denmark. Aqqalooraq Frederiksen, the Head Consultant will hopefully find a replacement who will continue the work with Henrik Frederiksen and student Anders Bjørnson. As the photos show, they were all helping with the planting.
Coast Alive is very grateful to Aqqaloraq and his team for the opportunity to carry out this extra project and we are delighted to see the first trees actually in the ground. They will hopefully be joined by thousands of others next spring.
