Jalina Adams, a 16-year-old Youth Forest Council Intern, is actively engaging in environmental initiatives as part of her internship. Through the program, she has gained practical skills in tree planting, mulching, and pruning. She also had opportunities to collaborate with organizations like Keep Austin Beautiful and TreeFolks.
Adams shared her passion for trees: “While growing up, I was always a tree person and loved trees very much.” This passion led her to undertake a Community Action Project aimed at experimenting with growing small trees on her apartment balcony.
In preparation for this project, Adams consulted Vit Kaspar from TreeFolks for advice on seed selection and care. Her project involved planting Bur Oak, Kidneywood, and Mexican Buckeye seeds in five-gallon pots or bags. As these seedlings grow, they will be transferred to larger pots until they are ready for planting in the ground.
Adams documented her project’s progress meticulously from February through April 2025. Her timeline includes key milestones such as the initial planting on February 15th and observing growth patterns over subsequent weeks.
She provided detailed information about each tree species involved in her project:
– The Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is known for its broad crown and massive trunk.
– The Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) features pinkish-purple flowers that produce honey.
– The Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana) attracts bees and butterflies with its flowers.
This initiative is supported by the City of Austin. For more information about trees and resources available, visit their website or follow them on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
