35,000 pine trees on way to Bastrop

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - A tight group of volunteers from at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center knows they're doing more than just packing pine tree sapplings into boxes.

They're actually part of a bigger group on a mission to plant in 35,000 pine trees. Sees were planted last April, now ready start beautifying the land that was charred by relentless fires in September 2011.

"It's a part of the area in Texas. it's a little pocket of loblolly pines the furthest west distribution," said Sean Watson, nursery manager at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center, "You know, I'm from East Texas where there's tons of these and every time I go home and I see pine trees. That's like a symbol of home."

The project was part of a larger plan started by a UT student's grant to raise thousands of loblolly pines. Now, the saplings are ready to begin a new life.

Past coverage

• Photos: A look back at the 2011 wildfires
• Bastrop deputies share their memories

The project was part of a larger plan started by a UT student's grant to raise thousands of Loblloly pines. Today these pines are ready to travel 40 minutes east and begin a new life.

Damon Waitt said the effort to reforest such a huge area is one of the most important projects he's ever been involved with. A green project much bigger than planting trees.

"Not only are these are going to help restore the Lost Pines Forest in that ecosystem, which is so unique," said Waitt, "But, hopefully, it will also help heal the spirit of that community."

Another meaningful twist: These seedlings were collected and stored nearly 20 years ago and are the distant offspring of trees that burned.

"It's a more drought-resistant variety of of loblolly pine," said Waitt. "So having the right seed to have in the restoration is very important."