Reforestation Project
March 2025-March 2026, and beyond
Reforestation Project underway
In a joint project of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Friends of Bandy Field Nature Park, with funding in part by the Virginia Department of Forestry, a large reforestation project is taking place in northwest portion of the park (north of Ridgetop Recreation Association’s tennis courts).
This area is terribly infested with invasive Chinese wisteria, which winds tightly around trees causing death of the host by girdling or by excessive weight which topples the tree.
The wisteria have already brought down many large trees and they threaten all the rest if not suppressed.
Volunteers have prepared the area by clearing vines and debris from around all trees that can be saved.
On April 22-24, a Forestry Mulcher came to the area to chip/shred the wisteria and other invasive vines, leaving this mulch on the ground to enrich the soil as it degrades as well as prevent erosion.
More work on the invasive sprouts will occur over the coming months.
Hundreds of trees will be planted in the area in February and March of 2026.
Richmond Parks and the Friends of Bandy Field Nature Park are undertaking a reforestation project in the part of the park north of Ridgetop Recreation Association’s tennis courts. This project is funded through a Virginia Department of Forestry “Virginia Trees for Clean Water” program, with matching in-kind contributions from volunteers.
The objective of the project is to reforest an approximately one-half acre area of Bandy Field Nature Park, a Richmond city park. The area is severely overgrown with Chinese wisteria, so the first phase of the project is to remove the wisteria and other invasive vines using a Forestry Mulcher. The Forestry Mulcher chips/shreds vines (and the logs from the trees that the these vines brought down). The chips remain in place to improve the soil as they degrade and also controlling erosion.
Key project milestones.
FOBFNP volunteers cut and clear vines and remove debris in a five-foot radius around existing trees. Completed March-April, 2025
FOBFNP volunteers prepare a path for the Forestry Mulcher to access area. Completed March-April 2025.
Forestry Mulching, April 22 - April 23, 2025
Work to remove sprouts from the invasive vines. May 2025 - Fall 2025.
Work with City of Richmond Parks trail experts to plan and develop a loop trail running through this area, Summer 2025
February-March 2026. Volunteers plant hundreds of trees in the area.
Our project partner for developing the tree planting plan and is the Richmond Tree Stewards. Tentatively, our plan includes planting the following species in this area:
Our tree planting plan will be refined as we evaluate the site after the Forestry Mulcher has cleared the invasives. Tree size range from one- and three-gallon to bare root seedling.
Planting is only the beginning of our commitment to reforestation.
At initial planting, a mulch/woodchip buffer will be added to each 1-gallon, and 3-gallon planting to help maintain moisture, and prevent weeds.
To protect the plantings, wire cages will be installed around the woody shrubs and tree tubes installed around the hardwood seedlings.
FOBFNP volunteers will maintain and inspect the plantings, wire cages, and tree tubes annually.
For a minimum of two years after planting, during the hot months of the year, FOBF will water the plantings weekly, unless there is 1 inch or more of rain in a seven-day period. Watering will be completed using hoses attached to a water spigot from the adjacent property owner
Comments or questions? Send email to fobfrsvp@gmail.com
