When Hurricane Katrina scoured our Gulf Coast in late summer 2005, it carved a wide path of destruction from central Florida to Texas. Both urban areas, like New Orleans, and rural lands were devastated. And, while it takes enormous resources of labor and money to restore buildings and roads, it will also take the priceless resource of time--decades, actually--to restore the vast coastal hardwood forests. Unless, you know how to work with nature to achieve supernatural results.
In the words of one landowner...
I am a landowner in Hancock County, and my property, as did most others, suffered significant damage in Hurricane Katrina. Three or four hundred acres of mature trees, pine and hardwood alike, were destroyed.
We were recently a beneficiary of a program that you sponsored, part of the $800,000 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. About nine acres of our land have been planted with RPM hardwood trees, which I understand are part of 34,757 planted in 8 counties.
We are quite pleased with the appearance of the RPM trees and are excited about this new beginning. Thank you for your support of the coastal counties in Mississippi.
Sincerely yours,
James M. Currie
Thanks to Forrest Keeling Nursery's patented RPM® production technology, and the federally funded Replant South Mississippi program, the coastal reforestation project received a major jump start. In fact, a number of landowners can expect to see their woodlands show rapid growth and earlier fruiting in a fraction of the normal required time because nearly 35,000 RPM® trees were planted.
Our trees' characteristic rapid growth rate continues through the life of the tree. This rapid growth, earlier fruiting and high rate of planting success is due largely to the patented RPM® production method.
But, RPM® is more than just root pruning. We use superior and appropriate seed stock, special nutrition, a unique growing medium and proper timing along with root pruning to produce unrivaled root mass and vigorous plant growth. Combined with Forrest Keeling's recommended Walk-A-Way planting system reforestation projects often see survival rates well over 95%.
All in all, RPM® trees are the best plant stock on the market today. And for residents of our gulf coast, like James Currie, (see callout) they're also "a new beginning."
