Planting is partnership
Araucárias (A. angustifolia) are dioecious, that is, they reproduces by cross pollination. The female trees produce the pinhas, where the seeds (pinhões) are found. On the other hand, the male araucárias produce androstrobilus, that are small stem where the pollen is available. Without the pollen there is no fecundation and for that reason it is fundamental to have both sexes nearby in the same araucária forest.
On the other hand, araucária's seeds are recalcitrant, they can not be stored under normal conditions, for that reason they should be sown soon after the harvest. They are slow growing trees taking around 12 to 15 years to become adults. The main reproductive process of the araucária is sexually by planting the seeds (pinhões) and, due to their characteristics, the sow has to be done with very healthy seeds just after being harvested. The vegetative propagation by other forms are possible, but they are difficult and costly.
Currently the natural succession of the araucárias is very low according to the Brazilian Forest Inventory, being less than 4% in the MOF; in addition, it is threatened due to several aspects, like climate changes and anthropic actions, but also due to the presence of exotic animals like wild boars as they eat the seed and also the seedlings. Therefore, there is a need of human action giving a hand to restore their natural regeneration process.
The participation in the project can be done by just a simple action of planting an araucária. This is a nice option for an individuo, institution or company to gift someone celebrating special dates like birthday, marriage or any other important date in your life, or even in the memory of someone that you loved, or by just doing a spontaneous contribution declared or anonymously. The list of planting partners and contributors, as well as the accounting, are public to the partners.
As it is not possible, without a genetic analysis, to get to know the gender of an araucária as a seed or even when it is young, only in its adulthood it will be known. Araucárias (A. angustifolia) are dioecious, that is, they reproduces by cross pollination. As such, it is not possible to choose a male or female araucária to be planted. But, remind that both sexes are important to produce the fruits and, consequently, for the auarucárias' succession.
The planted araucárias are cataloged with a unique identification tag including the name of the partner (or not if anonimous), date of plantation, origin of the tree, its GIS coordinates in the grove, etc. Other additional information about the tree development, including data about phytosanitary status and photo gallery are available to the parnets.
The PNHR MOF Prof. W. L. Roque is opened to visitors, to volunteer work, even for short periods of time, for scientific research, multidisciplinary studies and for environmental education purpose. In addition, artists that want to express their artwork are welcome. The araucária's planting partners are always welcome to get to know in loco their trees as well as volunteers to fill the experience of the daily work in the PNHR.
