Forestry at Kingston High School: From Soil Prep to Planting Day

Before a single tree went into the ground, students in the Forestry program at Kingston High School put in the groundwork, literally, to set their trees up for success.

Students prepared the soil using a technique called radial trenching. This involved loosening the soil in a 3 foot radius around each planting hole with a digging bar or mattock to break up compaction and improve soil structure. Students also cleared turf grass and weeds from each planting zone, giving every tree the best possible start.

With the ground properly prepped, students moved on to planting the trees themselves, putting their fieldwork into practice from start to finish. Their work does not stop there. Students will continue to monitor the health of the trees over time, tracking growth and development as part of the course.

Forestry combines outdoor fieldwork with real data collection, professional tools, and hands-on land management projects. This course connects to the Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Career Cluster, helping students explore pathways in forestry, environmental science, and natural resource management.

Want to see more of what our CTE programs are building? Stay tuned for more student spotlights from across North Kitsap School District.