The city of Florence, Kansas (population 663) established a riparian forest on an idle floodplain with the spring 2006 planting of 1,700 black walnut trees. The project manager reported in June 2009 that tree survival is more than 90%.  Average tree height of sheltered trees is 5 ft and the average height of unsheltered trees is 2.5ft-3ft. You can see the 4ft tree shelters in the photo.  

The March 2006  tree planting workshop was hosted by the Kansas Forest Service. Project manager Leonard Ellis hosted workshops in 2007 and 2008 for Future Farmers of America, middle school students, and private landowners.

Project partners include City of Florence, Kansas, the Kansas Forest Service, Marion County Conservation Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, American Tree Farm System, and the Hardwood Forestry Fund.

This project is proudly sponsored by all Hardwood Forestry Fund members.

• Project Initiation Date: 4/1/2006
• Location: City of Florence KS . Portion of west 1/2 of section 7, township 21 and range 5 , KS
• Number of Trees: 1,703
• Number of Acres: 2.5
• Tree Species: black walnut
• Project Partner: City of Florence, Kansas