Deserts make up about one third of the Earth's land area, an incredible amount considering that 70% of the Earth as a whole is covered by ocean. This desert area, defined as that which gets less than 10 inches of rain a year, cannot produce much of value for mankind or for wildlife. In many of these deserts, there is sufficient rainfall for well adapted trees to grow, but that rainfall all falls over a very short period (sometimes in one monsoon rainstorm). Most previous efforts at growing trees and other plants in the desert have focused on collecting water in large reservoirs and distributing it via canals to crops and trees. This method is as old as civilization itself, but it is very wasteful and inefficient (as most water in open canals is subject to evaporation, and that within pipes frequently requires electricity to move). Also, in many places (like the Sahara and increasingly in the southwest U.S.), there is not enough water to meet all demand. So is there a way to grow trees in the desert without continuing irrigation - yes, with the Groasis Waterboxx PlantCocoon®.
The Deserts of the world are tan on this map from Climate.gov
The Groasis Waterboxx PlantCocoon (called the Waterboxx for short) was invented by Pieter Hoff, a Dutch tulip exporter who retired to find a way to help green the deserts. After copying the best concepts nature had to offer (from the lessons of bird droppings to the Lotus Effect to capillary water), Mr. Hoff had developed the Waterboxx. This device, which is initially filled up with 4 gallons of water, with another 10 poured into the soil where the plant is to be planted, is a self refilling water battery for trees and other plants. The tree is planted in the central opening of the Waterboxx, and its roots grow straight down to access the soil water column released by the Waterboxx. The Waterboxx collects dew whenever present and is completely refilled by just 4 inches of rainwater. The whole process of the Waterboxx is explained below:
The Groasis Waterboxx has been tested in several deserts around the world. Its first large scale test was in the great Sahara Desert in Morocco. Below you see the initial planting of Tamarix (salt cedar) trees in a land of nothing but dry sand. This planting took place in 2010 initially.
Setting up a Groasis Waterboxx to plant a Tamarix Tree in 2010 - From Groasis.com
These trees thrived. Using the Waterboxx, tree plantings in Morocco had a 88% first year survival rate, compared to 11% with the non-Waterboxx trees, which were watered weekly. When two trees are planted per Waterboxx (as intended) the chance that one of them survives is 99%. The Waterboxx was left in place until the trees outgrew them, and the results are seen below.
The same Tamarix trees 4 years later in 2014 - also from Groasis
Tree plantings in the desert of Ecuador were even more impressive. Below you see over one year's growth of a Beechwood tree planted with the Waterboxx. Because deserts tend to be in areas with more sun (due to location and less cloud cover), once the critical shortage of water is solved by the Waterboxx, the desert can truly bloom.
14 month growth of a tree with the Waterboxx - compiled from photos at Groasis.com
So yes, trees can be grown in the desert with the Waterboxx. The Waterboxx was initially designed to stop the spread of the deserts, planting trees along desertifying lands like the Sahel region in Africa. We formed our company Dew Harvest because we saw the potential of the Waterboxx to change the American landscape, allowing many very dry areas in Western U.S. to have trees and other plants without irrigation. You can buy the Waterboxx in the U.S. from Dew Harvest.
If we can establish enough trees throughout the world (for whatever reason - from lumber to nut and fruit production or shade or simple love of nature), we can not only improve the value of nearly worthless desert land to ourselves and wildlife, but we can sequester huge amount of carbon dioxide. The Waterboxx was designed for this purpose. Please send us your Waterboxx success story to testimonials@dewharvest.com
You can see all our blog posts about planting trees with the Waterboxx here. We would love to hear your comments below - to leave one, please click on "Comments".
In another post, we discussed good fruit trees for those lucky enough to live in a Mediterranean climate. Here we will discuss the best nut trees for the same climate.
The Mediterranean climate, also known as a dry summer subtropical climate, is characterized by warm summers and mild, wet winters, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing. Only a few portions of the world outside the Mediterranean basin have this climate, including parts of South Africa, Chile, Australia, and southern California here in the U.S.
The Mediterranean climate can be wonderful for those wishing to grow fruits and nuts due to its mild winters. However, the lack of summer rain can make establishing trees very difficult - that was until the advent of the Groasis Waterboxx - a self refilling water battery for trees that slowly irrigates the roots of the young plant.
What nut trees grow best in a Mediterranean climate? There are several, including many that are popular in the U.S.
Pecans This wonder food, Carya illinoinesensis is probably best known as a pie topping, but if eating this nut alone it is remarkably healthy. Pecans are very difficult to establish because they have a true, deep taproot that means their roots need to be constantly wet when planting - a job perfect for the Waterboxx. It is important to get pecans suited to your area (see here for California). The pecan is originally from the Mississippi Valley, so it does require water during the summer months.
Pecan, grown for shade - From Wikipedia, By Bruce Marlin [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Walnuts Walnut, or Juglans species, are very interesting trees. Renowned for the quality of their wood, their nuts are also highly desired. Walnut roots produce a chemical called juglone which prevents growth of nearby plants so any walnut groves need to be isolated from other plants and trees. Although walnuts are monoecious (both male and female flowers on one tree) you need more than one for proper pollination due to differences in timing between shedding of male pollen and receptivity of female flowers (in other words, they are called dichogamus). Walnuts need well drained soil.
Pistachio These can be somewhat difficult to bring to full production because they do need watering during the summer nut ripening period. Also, it is very important to properly process and store the nuts because a cancer causing chemical called aflatoxin can be produced by a fungus on improperly stored shells (as it is produced in many other plants under improper conditions). These trees are also slow growing - taking a minimum of 5 years after planting grafted trees to get any nuts. If you are patient and in for a challenge with a great reward, pistachio may be for you. You will need one male tree for every 9 female trees. Male trees do not produce the nuts. Here is a list of nurseries where you can buy pistachio trees. Planting with the Waterboxx can give the roots more consistent water and better growth early in the tree's life, potentially decreasing time to nut production.
Ripening Pistachio Nuts - From Wikipedia, By Paolo Galli (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Almonds Prunus dulcis, almonds are actually a stone fruit that is treated like a nut. These trees are superbly suited to a Mediterranean climate, and in the U.S. grow best in southern California. They bloom in February, and need consistent watering after planting, best provided by the Waterboxx. Of note, it is very important to never eat wild almonds as they contains the chemical amydalin which can be converted into hydrogen cyanide, a very deadly poison.
Chestnuts Castanea species, these are the only nut that contain vitamin C. These trees can be harvested in October. Chestnuts are very drought resistant once established, and the Groasis Waterboxx is the perfect device to establish deep roots without continued watering. These trees prefer a soil pH of 4.5-6.5. You will need at least two chestnut trees to have production of nuts. More detailed instructions on planting chestnuts can be found here. Chestnuts are generally cooked in aluminum foil until one pops - then the rest are eaten. Without cooking they can be quite bitter.
Planting nut trees with the Groasis Waterboxx Areas with Mediterranean climate can be wonderful places to live, garden, and grow trees - if the trees can get deep roots established. The Groasis Waterboxx solves this problem, and ends the need for irrigation of young trees, by slowly releasing stored water to the roots of the growing tree. The water is also prevented from evaporation by the Waterboxx, meaning a column of water will grow directly beneath the tree, inducing the tap root to grow straight down to deeper capillary water. The Waterboxx refills itself from rare rain and morning dew, funneling it into a reservoir for later use. The Waterboxx is explained in the video below:
The Waterboxx can be reused for up to 10 years, and used for planting multiple different trees. The Groasis Waterboxx can also be used for growing annual garden plants. The Waterboxx can be purchased from Dew Harvest here.
Harvesting and Storage As mentioned above, improper harvesting and storage of some nuts can lead to contamination with aflatoxin, which is potentially lethal due to liver damage and cancer causing properties. The University of California has an excellent resource on how to harvest and store many of the nuts discussed above.
Try Out The Waterboxx The Groasis Waterboxx is available for purchase from Dew Harvest in the United States.
You can see all our blog posts about planting trees with the Waterboxx here.
We would love to hear your comments below - to leave one, please click on "Comments".
