Stage 3: From July 2005, leaching, planting and establishment

30-ha irrigated pilot

The prevailing soil salinity is too high even for the halophytes that will be planted on the project site. The infrastructure is first used to leach the area until the desirable levels of salinity have been reached in the root zone of the plants. Because of the heavy clays this takes a few months.
Once the land is leached, approximately 50,000 trees and cuttings are planted on 15 ha, along with another 15 ha with summer and winter grasses. This is the most critic stage in the project. The trees have to adapt to the soil change, the different water as well as the high temperatures in summer (between 45 and 50 degrees). The trees are being maintained with constant irrigation to help them acclimatize and grow.

3-ha non-irrigated pole planting

A hole is drilled almost to groundwater level. In this hole a pole of Tamarix aphylla is planted. The pole develops roots and on the top above the sandy soil the tree will start to develop.

Stage 4