The Trustees of Reservations will host a volunteer work day Saturday, Oct. 27, to plant Atlantic white cedar trees as part of an ongoing cedar swamp restoration project at Copicut Woods in the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve near the Westport line. The project will take place from 9 a.m. to noon

Long prized for its beauty and lightweight, rot resistant wood, Atlantic white cedar was widely used for shipbuilding, construction, and shingling. During the American Revolution, white-cedar charcoal was even used in the production of gunpowder.

Over the past half century the absence of fire, the filling of wetlands, and an overpopulation of deer have greatly reduced the prevalence of white-cedar swamps. Six years ago the Trustees began growing Atlantic white cedar in a tree nursery and these young trees are now ready to be planted out in the swamp. A solar-powered electric fence will also be installed to protect the trees from deer browse over the winter.

Volunteers will meet at the Copicut Woods parking lot located on Indian Town Road in Fall River at 9 a.m. on October 27. Wear clothes that can get dirty and waterproof shoes. To register visit www.thetrustees/volunteer/  or for more information call (508) 636-4693 ext. 13 or email bioreserve@ttor.org.

Add to favorites