Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary and Retreat
 Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary

Reforestation Advice

Mary Lynn Perry



Rainsong has recently begun its Reproduction for Reintroduction of Endangered Species Project.
We’ll carry out breeding programs with various animal & bird species native to the area.
Their young will be released back into natural habitat at the appropriate age, in family groups, for the continuing propagation of the species in the wild.
The success of our attempt to restore species that have already disappeared in the area will depend on two important factors:

  1. Suitable habitat available
  2. Safety from human predators

Reforestation, protecting and enhancing existing wildlife corridors and habitat, & Conservation Education are the solutions to the problems involved with Reintroduction.
Rainsong has an active Conservation Education Program working with the local schools to teach awareness & respect for animals’ rights.  The schoolchildren are very excited and responsive.
We are confident that the next generation will not be involved in poaching, nest-robbing, or other predatory activites.
Since the government of Costa Rica has recently increased the fines for poaching from c20,000 up to c500,000, the present generation is less eager to poach.
We need to continue cultivating community awareness to protect the existing populations of animals & birds, and subsequent releases thru Reintroduction.
If you are interested in helping with Conservation Education in the area, please send us an email.

Reforestation is something that everyone can help with.  Even if you’re renting, planting a few papaya trees & ylang ylang trees in your yard will attract a marvelous variety of birds, including toucans, momotos, trogons, etc.
*Papaya trees grow rapidly, and fruit within 6 months if planted with biodynamic techniques.
Save your papaya seed, dry them a few days, then plant them. 
Papaya is a short-lived tree, normally 3 to 6 years.
It doesn’t take up much space in the garden, so plant as many as possible.
*Establish a birdfeeder in your yard.  Bananas are cheap and attract many bird species.
*Plant flowers for the hummingbirds and butterflies.  For suggestions of the best flowers to use, send us an email stating your purpose.
Subject title: MARY – BUTTERFLY GARDENS

Landowners can quickly & easily turn former pastures into habitat paradise for animals & birds.
We also hope that more landowners will join Penjamo Community Wildlife Refuge.
This concept is unique & simple.  Each landowner takes responsibility for protecting the wildllife on their property.
The Colegio de Biologos de Costa Rica (governing body for Tico biologists) tells us the concept of a community wildlife refuge is so rare, there’s only one other on the planet, in Africa.
We find it ironic & disappointing that such a simple approach to Conservation is so unusual !!!      
Please help us promote awareness in your community.

The following size & spacing tables should help you with your reforestation project.
If you’d also like Rainsong to help, send us an email. Subject title: MARY-REFORESTATION.
Rainsong offers free consultations, on-site inspections for identification of existing trees ($20), suggestions for trees & plants to incorporate, help with spacing, landscape planning & mapping, advice about biodynamic gardening techniques (so your trees will develop quickly & fruit early), and organic maintenance of your gardens.
We have an extensive collection of rare & endangered tropical hardwoods and native fruit trees in our Reforestation Nursery.
To promote reforestation we sell our trees for only $1 each.
For tree lists visit our website:
www.rainsongsanctuary.com
Our nursery is open to the public daily, hours: 8am til 11am, & 2pm til 5pm.
For property inspections for reforestation, call rainsong or send an email.

NOTE: Altho Ylang Ylang and several other trees we promote are not native species, the benefits they provide (fast-growing, fruit yearround, etc.) make them worthy to be incorporated into reforestation projects.
Our biologists agree with this policy.
Forest Flame (Llama Bosque) can become invasive if the seedlings are not controlled by clearing them out periodically. Because it grows so rapidly, we use it to close in gaps in wildlife corridors.

 

TO ENHANCE AN EXISTING WILDLIFE CORRIDOR:
(forest or tree line existing along fence lines or creeks)
Plant as close to existing trees as possible, 3 to 4 meters.
Check that there’s open sky above.
Don’t plant trees under the canopy unless it’s very high.
Exceptions: shade-loving small trees – cacao, café, pacaya palms, peacock palms, etc.  
Also guayaba (guava) trees thrive in some shade.
Trees with wide crown should be spaced 7 meters (mountain almond, manzana agua, cenizaro, mango, guanacaste, ardillo, etc.).
Spacing is measured from tree trunk to tree trunk.

Ylang Ylang is a tall narrow-crowned tree that grows very rapidly.
Plant it between slower-growing trees, 4 meter spacing. Fruits yearround.
Madero Negro also is a good choice. It grows rapidly, and many wildlife species eat the flowers.
Madero Negro is also very beneficial because it fixes nitrogen in the soil.
It can be planted from stakes after the full moon.
Guarumo grows superfast, has a narrow crown, provides fruit for wildlife,
AND guarumo produces more oxygen than any other tree on the planet !
Guarumo usually pops up on its own (thank you lil’ birdies !!! ), so just sit back and let it do its thing !!!  It can be transplanted easily, also.
Papaturi is called ‘the jungle’s McDonald’s’ due to its yearound fruits for all wildlife.
Also provides habitat for many animals & birds.

 

TO CREATE A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR:
Plant along your fence lines, as near to neighboring corridors as possible.
Spacing – 4 to 7 meters, depending on the tree species.
Use zig-zag lines to squeeze the trees in closer together.
Plant smaller fast-growing trees between the slower-growing hardwoods.
For example: Ylang Ylang, Madero Negro, Malinchi (Flamboyant), Papaya, Guanabana, Carambola (Starfruit),  Forest Flame, Orgullo Indio, etc.
TROPICAL HARDWOODS
Despite what many people believe, many hardwoods grow rapidly.
Some grow more rapidly than even teak.
PLEASE EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS BEFORE YOU PLANT TEAK.
Teak is SO TOXIC, it is a conservationist’s nightmare, and renders your
soil and property unusable for other types of cultivations.
Teak’s toxicity makes it impossible for wildlife to live near it.
LOVE OUR PLANET !!!    PLEASE DO NOT PLANT TEAK  !!!

 

FAST-GROWING TREES:
Large, with wide crown:
Cenizaro
Guanacaste
Aguacatilla (Wild Avocado)
Gallinazo
Nispero
Espavel
Caoba (Mahagoney)
Cedro Amarga (Sour Cedar)
Cachimbo
Roble
Panama
Gavilan
Ardillo
Balsa
Carao
Ceiba Pochote
Ceiba Verde
Higueron (Banyan)
Mango
Manzana Agua
Breadfruit (castana)
Papaturi

Medium to Small:
Ylang Ylang
Madero Negro
Cocobolo (Rosewood)
Almendro Playa (Beach Almond)
Roble
Carambola (Starfruit)
Papaya
Cereza ( Native Cherry)
Aceituna (Native Olive)
Chikiskil
Capulin
Guarumo
Cottonwood (provides birds with nesting material)

HIGUERONES:
There are many different types of higueron native to Costa Rica.
All are giants with extremely wide crown.
They are EXTREMELY important as a habitat & food source for many species of animals & birds.
To incorporate into existing forest, allow 10 meters.
In cleared areas, allow 7 meters.
They can be propogated by cuttings after the full moon.


SPACING - TALL TREES WITH WIDE CROWN – 7 TO 10 METERS
HARDWOODS:
Cenizaro
Guanacaste
Nispero
Mountain Almond
Espavel
Cachimbo
Caoba (Mahogoney) & other other tropical cedars
Ceiba Pochote
Panama
Hojoche
Madrono
Ron Ron

FRUIT TREES:
Mango
Guava (Ice Cream Bean)
Caimeto (Momi Apple or Custard Apple)
Manzana Agua (Water Apple)
Castana Breadfruit
Papaturi
Grapefruit

 

SPACING - TALL & STRAIGHT TREES WITH NARROW CROWN:
4 TO 6 METERS
Ylang Ylang
Mamon (Native Lichi Nut)
Roble
Laurel
Aguacatilla (Wild Avocado)
Cristobal
Ardillo
Chaperno
Malinchi (Flamboyant)
Camiba
Yayo
Ceiba Verde
Chinese Orchid Tree

 

SPACING FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM TREES – 3 TO 4 METERS
Cocobolo (Rosewood)
Corteza Negro
Corteza Amarilla
Madero Negro
Gavilan
Guapinol Negro
Pellejo de Toro
Avocado
Almendro Playa (Beach Almond)
Cereza (Native Cherry)
Tamarindo
Capulin
Anona & other Zapotes
Carambola (Starfruit)
Aceituna (Native Almond)
Guanabana
Cacao (likes partial or total shade)
Citrus - (Orange, Sweet Lemon, Sweet Mandarin Orange, Sour Mandarin Orange)
Bananas

 

COCONUTS , when planted by biodynamic techniques, grow rapidly.
A heavy mulching twice a year will increase their yield significantly.
They provide habitat for many species and fruit yearround.         
Squirrels chew thru the shells to enjoy the coconut meat.
Coconuts require wide spacing (7 meters), but can be incorporated into wildlife corridors.                                                                                                  
At Rainsong we plant coconuts in groups of 3 to maximize space.

DROUGHT TOLERANT TREES WHICH CAN BE PROPOGATED FROM STAKES:
Flor Blanca (Native Plumeria – white flowers, grows wild along the beaches)
Madero Negro
Higuerones
Poro
Jinote
Guarumo
Chikaskil
Gallinazo
Capulin
Balsa
Ixora Blanca (a flowering shrub which attracts butterflies & hummingbirds)

 

GROUNDCOVERS:
At Rainsong our favorite groundcover is the native clover that grows wild in pastures & along roadsides.
Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil, creates a thick carpet very quicklly, requires little weeding once established, stays low (no need to mow), and is very attractive (dark green with small lavender flowers).

Peanut Grass is a popular groundcover.  It also fixes nitrogen, spreads rapidly, and small mammals & reptiles (turtles, iguanas, etc.) eat the greens and flowers.
Peanut grass is easily propogated by cuttings.

Beaches of Cabuya Photo Collage
Copyright 2005 by Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary All Rights Reserved