More than 18 thousand trees will be planted at the Rosa Khutor resort

They will help prevent soil erosion and strengthen mountain slopes. To do this, in the immediate vicinity of the infrastructure of the resort on the territory of the right-of-way of the forestry road "Mzymta", where there is no vegetation and the soil is prone to flushing, black alder planting is carried out. The landing area exceeds 10,000 square meters.

- Soil erosion is typical for our region, among the reasons – a large angle of the mountains and a huge amount of precipitation, because of which water washes away the earth. To combat this phenomenon, plantings have been carried out at the resort for several years. So last year, 17 thousand seedlings of black alder were planted on the territory of three hectares, this year another 18 thousand will be added to them. The alder was not chosen by chance. This is an indigenous species that traditionally grows on the territory of the Sochi National Park. For several years we have been selecting plants to strengthen the mountain slopes, willows, blackberries, hornbeams and others were planted. But it is alder that shows the highest survival rate under the condition of cultivation on poor rocky soils. This is the most promising species for preventing dangerous soil phenomena," said Denis Ryltsev, head of the environmental service of the Rosa Khutor resort.

Seedlings of two or three years old, which were purchased in a special nursery, are used for planting. So far, these are thin trees up to half a meter high. During their lifetime, which is about 150 years, they reach 25 meters in height and 70 centimeters in diameter of the trunk. Alder not only strengthens mountain slopes thanks to the root system, but also makes them aesthetically attractive.