29 ha farm near Platanillo
Herewith some photos of EALA's reforestation project near Platanillo, at 12 km from Dominical in the south of Costa Rica near the Pacific Ocean. The area of the finca is 29 hectares divided in 8 potreros (areas with barbed wire for cattle) of 22 hectares and a forested area of 7 hectares which includes a waterfall of some 50 meters high.
In March 2019, we started a nursery in Platanillo for wood producing endemic trees and for cashew nut (marañon in Spanish) trees. One of our aims was to re-establish the 20 meter environmental protection zones along the stream running through the finca. The endemic trees are: espavel, gavilan, corteza amarilla, guachipelin, almendro playa, guarumo, castaña, lechoso, mayo blanco, cristóbal, etc. The protection zones will form a biological corridor between the forest and other forests higher up the hills. In July 2019 we planted some 1500 endemic trees.
We have also planted in 2019 some 800 cashew nut trees of which the fruits will be eaten by the small mammals and birds whereas the nuts can be harvested. So in 2019 we planted in total some 2300 trees.
We worked with two teams of two persons. Much time is being spent on cutting the fast-growing brisantha grass, our big enemy. Our planting cost was approx. $ 10 per tree planted, we envisage another $ 10 for maintenance (with motoguaraña and with spade and machete and of course fertilizer) over the next four years, so total cost per tree $ 20. For donations to this environmental project, see our SUPPORT page on this website, many thanks.
In August 2019, we had a visit of a group of some 25 hikers from Eco-lodge & Retreat Centrer Cascada Elysiana (www.cascadaelysiana.com), our neighbors. 11 visitors planted trees and donated 3000 colones ($ 5) each. Many thanks!
In May and June 2020 we planted another 1100 marañon trees and 200 almenro montaña, 100 cristóbal, 200 corteza amarilla, 100 corteza negra, 100 vainillo, balso, castaño, 100 cedro amargo, 100 cas, 100 aguacatillo, 100 dama, and 50 cipresses, so in total in 2020 we planted again 2300 trees. Costa Rica;s electricity company ICE donated us some 800 endemic trees for which we are very grateful.
In 2021 we have planted another 900 trees in potrero no.6, see the map below. So now a total of 5500 trees. Unfortunately, the cashew nut trees in potreros 1, 2 and 3 have not done well due to a plague and excessive rain in 2021 and 2022. For that reason, we have decided to sell potreros 1, 2 and 3 to another party to continue the reforestation with other species.
Last year, in 2022 we have added some 800 trees to the trees already planted in potrero 6 (see map). We bought the trees in San Isidro and ICE again donated some. In 2023 we have planted again some 700 trees including 180 of the species Paulownia. Other species were espavel, mango, malinche, primavera, jacaranda, roble sabana, cristobal, almendro de rio and almendro montaña.
For more info about this project, write to EALAmail@gmail.com or call at (506) 8824 6143.
view south Paulownia planted in August 2023
rodajas cleared with motoguaraña and machete The farm now has potreros 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
young marañon trees at the bottom of the waterfall
Julian helping Laura of Elysiana to plant a tree. Waterfall 60 meters high at the finca
Marvin and Alexander cutting grass in potrero 4 in November 2021 
Trees we have planted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in potrero 6. Our aim is to a create an ARBORETUM with biodiversity.