Breathing life into reforestation: the benefits of AirTray plugs
Breathing Life into Reforestation: The Benefits of AirTray Plugs
Innovating Reforestation: The Benefits of AirTray Plugs
In the world of restoration and reforestation, innovation often means finding ways to nurture plants while minimizing environmental impact. Enter AirTray plugs, a groundbreaking solution for growers and planters alike. Grown in a 9.2-cubic-inch biodegradable paper sleeve, OneCanopy’s AirTray plugs are designed to optimize plant health, simplify planting logistics, and reduce waste. Let’s dive into the many benefits of this cutting-edge planting solution.
- Healthier Roots Through Air Pruning
One of the standout features of AirTray plugs is their unique air-pruning system. Plugs are grown in trays with open-air spaces surrounding the root zone. This design exposes roots to the air, encouraging them to prune naturally rather than circling and tangling as they would in traditional plastic containers. The result?
- Lateral root formation: Air pruning promotes a dense, fibrous root system with lateral branching. This structure is more akin to natural root growth and supports better nutrient and water absorption.
- Improved plant vigor: Plants with healthy root systems establish themselves faster and are more resilient to environmental stressors, giving them a robust start.
- Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Design
AirTray plugs eliminate the need for plastic containers, a major win for the environment. The biodegradable paper sleeve can be planted directly in the soil, where it naturally decomposes.
- Less plastic waste: Say goodbye to piles of discarded trays that clutter landfills or require tedious recycling.
- Soil-friendly planting: As the paper breaks down, it does not leave behind any toxic or harmful residues.
- Simplified Planting and Handling
Logistics can often be as challenging as the growing process itself. AirTray plugs address this with features that make them incredibly user-friendly:
- Durable transport: The enhanced lateral branching within the root ball strengthens its structure, helping to maintain the root’s integrity. This ensures it remains intact during transportation to the planting site or while stored in planting bags.
- Streamlined planting: The biodegradable sleeve eliminates the need to remove the plant from its container. Simply bury the plug directly in the ground, reducing transplant shock and making the process quicker and cleaner.
- Versatility for Various Growing Needs
Whether you’re planting trees, shrubs, or other plants for restoration efforts, AirTray plugs cater to diverse planting requirements. The optimized root system makes them suitable for any crop that benefits from strong initial growth and adaptability.
The OneCanopy AirTray plugs were designed with forestry purposes in mind. The plugs are 4.72 inches long with a 1.57 inch diameter, allowing for a total root volume of 9.2cubic inches. This is comparable in volume to the traditional 10cubic inch container-grown seedlings typically used in the Rocky Mountain Region.
- Cost-Effective in the Long Run
With improved plant survival rates, healthier growth, and reduced labor costs in handling and planting, they offer significant savings over time.
A Better Way to Grow
AirTray plugs represent a major leap forward in sustainable, efficient planting. By fostering healthier roots, reducing waste, and simplifying the planting process, they
empower foresters to achieve better results while caring for the planet.
Together, we can grow plants – and a greener future – with innovative solutions like these.
Interested in giving AirTray plugs a try? Contact us today to place your order!
Empowering large-scale reforestation and conservation through partnerships
Restoration and reforestation at scale requires expertise, coordination, and a deep understanding of ecological and logistical challenges. OneCanopy stands out as a trusted nursery partner in landscape-scale projects, offering solutions that address both ecological and logistical needs. By fostering partnerships, leveraging diverse resources, and customizing approaches, OneCanopy enables transformative projects that restore ecosystems, support wildlife, and mitigate climate impacts.
The OneCanopy Approach: Tailored Solutions for Complex Projects
Large-scale restoration projects often involve intricate governance structures, diverse stakeholder input, and multifaceted logistical demands. Whether it’s restoring habitats impacted by wildfires, reversing the spread of invasive species, or supporting carbon offset initiatives, OneCanopy thrives in managing the complexity.
Our approach centers on collaboration, adaptability, and science-driven strategies. We offer partners flexibility through two main pathways:
- Speculative Pallet Selection: Partners can choose from a wide array of pre-grown plant materials that are ready for deployment. All OneCanopy plant material is grown from Rocky Mountain sourced seed, ensuring appropriate suitability for the region. We understand the importance of provenance of seed and strive to acquire and grow out seed from a variety of geographies within our region. This option provides speed and efficiency for projects with tight timelines.
- Custom Grow Contracts: For projects with unique ecological or logistical needs, we collaborate directly with partners to develop tailored solutions. This includes selecting the appropriate seed stock provenance, determining the optimal product size, and aligning on budget-friendly pricing and delivery strategies.
Whether a partner chooses from our speculative pallet or opts for a custom grow contract, every project is executed with precision and a commitment to ecological integrity.
Supporting Large-Scale Projects with Strategic Expertise
OneCanopy’s role in the success of landscape-scale projects extends beyond providing plant materials. We partner with organizations to address critical aspects such as:
- Seed Stock Selection: Ensuring the use of genetically appropriate and climate-resilient plant species.
- Logistics Planning: Streamlining delivery and packaging to minimize waste and maximize efficiency
- Payment Flexibility to Support Funding Requirements: Working with clients on payment timing to ensure they can meet compliance requirements of funding sources.
This comprehensive approach makes OneCanopy an invaluable ally for projects that demand technical expertise and seamless execution.
Highlighting Impact: Case Studies of Success
OneCanopy’s ability to manage large-scale partnerships is exemplified in its work on groundbreaking projects that restore ecosystems, support wildlife, and combat climate change. Here are two compelling examples:
Restoring Mule Deer Habitats in Idaho
The Mule Deer Foundation partnered with OneCanopy to restore sagebrush habitats in Idaho. This project addressed a critical ecological challenge: highly flammable invasive grasses had overrun the area, leading to fast-moving wildfires that destroyed the sagebrush—a vital food source for mule deer.
OneCanopy supplied the necessary sage plants, ensuring they were of the right size and genetic profile for the region. The partnership’s efforts have helped reestablish a key habitat, mitigating the impact of invasive species and supporting the recovery of mule deer populations.
Post-Burn Carbon Projects
In the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires, reforestation becomes essential for restoring carbon-sequestering ecosystems. OneCanopy has supported numerous post-burn projects designed to meet carbon market requirements. These projects are crucial not only for ecological recovery but also for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
By providing ecological appropriate tree species and ensuring efficient delivery and planting logistics, OneCanopy enables these projects to meet their ambitious goals. From selecting seed stock adapted to fire-prone regions to advising on planting densities, we help partners maximize the ecological and financial returns on their investments.
Why Partner with OneCanopy?
When organizations choose OneCanopy, they’re selecting a partner committed to making large-scale restoration initiatives successful. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Ecological Expertise: From seed selection to habitat restoration, we bring a deep understanding of ecological principles and regional needs.
- Flexibility: Our speculative pallet and custom grow contract options ensure that we meet the unique demands of every project.
- Logistical Excellence: Efficient planning and execution are at the heart of our approach, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish.
- Proven Impact: Our successful partnerships highlight our ability to deliver results.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact Together
As environmental challenges grow, so does the need for bold, collaborative solutions. OneCanopy’s commitment to supporting landscape-scale projects positions us as a vital partner in the fight against habitat loss, climate change, and ecological degradation. By leveraging our expertise and resources, we enable partners to achieve their conservation and reforestation goals while driving lasting environmental and societal benefits.
Whether you’re working to restore fire-damaged forests, enhance wildlife habitats, or create carbon-offset opportunities, OneCanopy is ready to help. Together, we can transform ambitious ideas into impactful realities—one project, one ecosystem, one future at a time.
OneCanopy FAQs
About Us
OneCanopy is a private entity which allows us a great deal of flexibility in who we do business with. We sell plants to private landowners, government entities, non-profits, other private entities, and many more!
Anyone who works professionally in the conservation, reforestation, or environmental restoration space is someone we would consider a partner! This includes government entities, nonprofits, and other private entities. Please visit our Partners page to see examples of those we’ve worked with in the past!
Yes! In fact – it’s our specialty! We work closely with our partners to develop contracts that meet their ecological and logistical needs. We work collaboratively to identify appropriate seed stock, container size, price, delivery, and payment schedules that work for all. Growing on contract allows us the flexibility to grow a wider variety of material for a diversity of projects. If you’re interested in a contract grow, please contact us directly.
Currently, our services are limited to the production of native plant material, and we do not offer planting or seed collection services, although we hope to offer these services in the future!
OneCanopy is a for-profit social enterprise wholly owned by a private foundation, allowing us to operate like a nonprofit in many ways! We can accept donations, as well as volunteers.
As a social enterprise, we measure our success not just by profit, but by our impact on our communities and planet. All profits earned are reinvested into the company to broaden our impact and mission.
For upcoming volunteer opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter! If you would like to arrange a corporate or group volunteer event, please contact us directly at info@one-canopy.com.
Most of our volunteer opportunities are focused on seeding, weeding, and general maintenance around our nursery property in Loveland.
Our Trees
There are several steps we take at the nursery to ensure our plant material has the best chance for survival in the harsh Rocky Mountain climate.
First, our plant material is grown from seeds sourced in the region. These seeds are collected from parent plants which have evolved in the arid conditions of the Rocky Mountains and are therefore better adapted for these conditions. This process is different from some plants you may purchase from other nurseries where the parent plants are likely from the Pacific Northwest where temperatures are much more moderate and less arid.
Second, we ensure our seedlings go through rigorous climate conditioning before leaving our nursery. This includes ample exposure to all elements, including extreme heat, cold, and drought conditions. Stressing the seedlings while they are in our care helps to ensure they are “hardened off” before we pass them on to our customers.
Our seed is sourced from a variety of small, private collectors in the Rocky Mountain region. On occasion we receive seed from our collaborative partners, however this seed is typically restricted in use.
We are always interested in building our network of seed collectors and vendors in the Rocky Mountain region. Please contact us if you have seed available for sale.
We grow most of our plants in 10 cubic inch containers that are 8.25 inches in depth. In most instances, you can expect your plant to have 8 inches of above-ground mass, as well as an 8-inch root ball.
We do grow plants beyond this size on a contractual basis. If you are interested in a contract grow, please contact us!
The answer to this question depends on many factors, often determined by the current and past conditions of your location, as well as future goals for the landscape. OneCanopy is happy to help you identify the most appropriate species and planting density for your area.
Correctly timing your planting is critical to the survival of your seedlings! Desiccation (drying out of the seedling) is a common cause of mortality in young trees. Desiccation is often caused by warm temperatures and low precipitation. Because of this risk, we typically recommend planting in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate and precipitation is likely. We tend to see higher survival with fall plantings as soil temperatures are still warm, allowing roots to quickly establish, and precipitation is more likely.
Ordering
Please visit our Current Inventory and Pricing & Ordering pages for the most up-to-date inventory and pricing. The first step to placing an order is Requesting a Quote.
Please note that we offer special pricing for collaborative partners. Contact us directly for more information.
Our minimum lot size is 25 plants and may only contain one species. At this time, we do not offer mixed lots.
Yes! We offer flat rate shipping for private landowners in the Rocky Mountain region. Please visit our Pricing and Ordering page for more information.
We offer a variety of shipping/delivery options for our collaborative partners, please contact us directly at to discuss more.
Payments can be made via credit card or check.
We are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., however, our nursery is not open to the public at this time. Please call, email, or visit our website with questions or to place an order.
OneCanopy Quarterly Update - Q1 2024
OneCanopy is currently looking to partner with conservation districts, private nurseries, and carbon credit companies throughout Colorado and Wyoming. These partnerships have been critical in our conservation and reforestation efforts throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Please contact us at info@one-canopy.com for more information.
Find spring ordering information and more, including project highlights, container recycling, and team updates in this quarter’s eNewsletter!
OneCanopy Quarterly Update - Q4 2023
Our Colorado-grown seedling trees and shrubs are available for pre-order for your spring 2024 reforestation planting! Our 2024 pallet includes a larger selection of species as we aim to provide plant material for full ecosystem restoration.
Find spring ordering information and more, including project highlights, container recycling, and team updates in this quarter’s eNewsletter!
