Students Plant THOUSANDS of Seeds for Native Tree Nursery Project

Remember last fall when we asked for tree seeds? Thanks to your generosity—and the amazing leadership of FSW parent Jen Biringer—our Native Tree Nursery has officially taken off! Over the next two weeks, every grade level across campus will have a chance to plant seeds for oak, cypress, hickory, and longleaf pine trees. That’s right—HUNDREDS of seeds!

These seeds are going into air pruning boxes (generously built by volunteers with the NHC Arboretum) that encourage the roots to branch out and become super fibrous. (Did you know that when a root hits air, it stops growing and signals the plant to sprout even more roots? Nature is amazing!) The result is stronger, healthier saplings, perfectly prepped for their future homes.

Next year, these young trees will be transplanted around Wilmington as part of a citywide “micro forest” project. Just imagine: the tiny seeds we’re planting today growing into a beautiful, thriving canopy for our community tomorrow.

We’re so grateful to Friends of the Arboretum, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, and the NC Cooperative Extension for making this pilot project possible. It’s a true team effort, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch these little seeds—and our students—grow.