Hand plant longleaf and shortleaf pine seedlings at the Sabine National Forest edge, site 5, a public Sabine National Forest boundary access point in San Augustine County, TX 75972, near San Augustine, TX (US Forest Service public land) (2026-07-30)

The survey above found a bare or thinned pine understory segment at this Sabine National Forest boundary in San Augustine County, and hand planted native longleaf and shortleaf pine seedlings, coordinated with Forest Service staff, would otherwise restore this East Texas Pineywoods stand. Standard: USFS longleaf and shortleaf pine restoration practice for the East Texas Pineywoods, applied here to the Sabine National Forest boundary in San Augustine County, TX, adjoining Nacogdoches County. SDG 15.1 and 15.2. Proof: before after photos plus species and seedling count record plus GPS Method (USFS longleaf and shortleaf pine restoration practice for the East Texas Pineywoods, applied here to the Sabine National Forest boundary in San Augustine County, TX, adjoining Nacogdoches County. SDG 15.1 and 15.2.): 1. 1. Coordinate the planting location and window with Sabine Ranger District staff and photograph the bare or thinned segment before starting. 2. 2. Hand plant native longleaf and shortleaf pine seedlings at the design spacing using a dibble bar or hand tools only, no power equipment. 3. 3. Firm the soil around each seedling by hand and confirm root collar depth is correct. 4. 4. Photograph the planted segment from the matching before vantage and record species and seedling count. Done when: before after photos plus species and seedling count record plus GPS

Where

a public Sabine National Forest boundary access point in San Augustine County, TX 75972, near San Augustine, TX (US Forest Service public land)

Pay

$165 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

before after photos plus species and seedling count record plus GPS

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-08-29

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–90 minutes. Method of record: ANSI A300 Part 6 (Planting) + ISA Best Management Practices for tree planting & establishment; Arbor Day Foundation planting standard. DIY-safe volunteer planting on cleared, utility-marked ground; no mechanized or utility-conflict digging.

Bring

• GPS-capable phone
• camera
• round-point shovel + digging fork
• hand pruners
• mulch (wood chips) + measuring stick
• watering can or hose
• gloves + closed-toe boots

Steps

1. 1. Confirm the planting spot is inside the posting radius and clear of marked utilities (811 locate honored); record the GPS waypoint.
2. 2. Photograph the bare site and the nursery stock (label/species visible) before planting.
3. 3. Dig the hole 2-3x the root-ball width and no deeper than the root ball, so the root flare will sit at or just above grade.
4. 4. Remove the container or cut away burlap/wire, gently loosen circling roots, and set the tree with the root flare visible at grade.
5. 5. Backfill with the native soil in layers, firming out air pockets; do not bury the root flare or amend heavily.
6. 6. Build a shallow watering basin, water in slowly until the backfill is saturated, and apply 2-3 inches of mulch kept 3 inches off the trunk.
7. 7. Stake only if the tree cannot stand on its own; use two loose ties that allow trunk movement, and note a removal date within one year.
8. 8. Record species, GPS, before/after photos, root-flare-at-grade confirmation, mulch depth, and water applied into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Unmarked or suspected buried utility, or the 811 locate is not honored -> STOP: do not dig; reschedule after a confirmed locate.
• Root ball is dry, circling/kinked, or the trunk is wounded -> do not plant as-is; soak/correct or reject the stock and note it, rather than establish a failing tree.
• Right-of-way, overhead-line conflict, or a species/site mismatch -> flag for the site steward and choose an approved spot/species; never plant into a conflict.

What counts as done

• GPS waypoint recorded inside the posting radius on utility-cleared ground
• Before and after photos showing the root flare visible at grade
• Mulch applied 2-3 inches deep and held off the trunk, with a watering basin formed and watered in
• Species and any staking (with a removal date) recorded in the proof

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.