The planting of Vesi was started. The seedlings in this case were provided by a neighbouring village. Vesi is a native tropical hardwood tree found on the Indo-Pacific Islands. Due to intensive logging this timber became rare.
Vesi (Intsia bijuga) is a flowering tree of the pea family, Fabaceae, and is also known under the names Merbau or Kwila. It is growing to up to 40-60m height and develops 1,5m - 2m trunk diameters. The average dried weight is 825 kg/m3. The wood of Vesi is very strong and resistant against insects and well suited for outdoor use. Because of its strength it is also sought-after for use as wood flooring.
Vesi improves the soil by fixing Nitrogen from the air thereby fertilizing the surrounding area. This makes it ideal for agro-forestry.
There will be other species such as Mahogany, Teak and other indigenous Fijian timbers added to the reforestation so that a diverse forest develops.