Written by Jenifer Chrisman on April 21, 2015.
Planet Earth, its bounty offers both the basic needs of our very existence and the comforts we have achieved that are so much a part of our way of life. Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, tells us how we can give back and help maintain a healthy and productive planet now and for future generations.
Each year Earth Day offers a different theme; 2015 is "Pledge to Plant". The goal is to plant one billion organic, perennial (lives at least two years) seeds/trees that are suitable to the growing conditions of the area they are being planted in. While this may seem like an astronomical amount, if everyone does their part the number should be fairly easy to reach.
WikiHow offers simple directions* on How to Plant a Tree:
1. Select the right time of year for planting the tree. In general, April and May are the best times to plant in the Northern hemisphere. Otherwise, September and October are the best bet. However, certain trees don’t do well if planted in the fall, like oaks (nut trees) and birches.
2. Choose a suitable tree for the region, climate and space. Trees native to the area tend to do well, are easier to care for and won’t be a potentially invasive plant species.
3. Dig a hole that is 4-5 times the width of the root ball and deep enough for the root ball to be completely covered in dirt with a small “pedestal” of dirt in the center and deeper at the edges. The dirt all around the hole should be loosened and the point where the tree comes out of the ground should be slightly higher (1/4-1/2 inch) than the ground around it.
4. Prepare the tree for planting. If it is a small tree, turn it upside down gently to get it out of the pot if the plastic cannot be easily cut away. If the tree is larger and has a net, hessian or rope bag, put the tree in the hole then cut through the packaging from around the trunk, leaving the wire basket. Avoid handling the tree with the burlap off and don’t leave the tree’s roots exposed for too long. For seeds, visit wikihow.com/Plant-a-Tree for details.
5. The ground level of the plant in the pot should match up with the ground level after the hole is filled in. Do not bury over the crown (where the stem changes to root) or leave any roots exposed. Place the handle of the shovel flat across the hole from one side to the other to measure whether the crown is level with the surrounding soil before filling in the hole. Use compost or composted manure if needed. If the soil is not rich, has clay-like qualities or has the consistency of dust or sand, backfill three quarters of the hole with existing dirt and one quarter compost. Do not use commercial fertilizer, but an organic mixture that includes mycorrhiza will enhance the tree’s uptake of soil nutrients.
6. Water the newly planted tree. Allow settling, backfill the remaining soil and water again (one gallon for every six inches of tree height). Water again in an hour. Keep watering the tree for the first few years. Depending on the area’s climate, it will need weekly watering until the roots are established.
7. Use mulch! Cover the planting hole with 1-3 inches of shredded hardwood or leaf mulch, keeping the mulch 2-3” away from the trunk.
8. Stake the tree if necessary for about the first year. Make sure the stakes are tied loosely to the trunk and do not dig into the bark or tighten around the tree.
Not all trees can be planted on April 22 due either to the tree’s specific requirements or adverse temperatures. And not everyone has a place to plant. For those who wish to contribute to Pledge to Plant but aren’t able to plant a tree on April 22, they can grow a plant indoors, plant a tree at the appropriate time or donate a tree to a garden in the local area.
The benefits of planting trees are wide and varied, from climate control and blocking sound, to reducing wind speed and supplying life-giving oxygen. Trees not only serve the environment, they also benefit us personally, socially and communally.
So this Earth Day, Pledge to Plant and plant a tree. Plant Earth gives us so much. It is time for us to give back.
Sources: forestnation.com/earth-day-tree-planting/, foundation.rocks/pledge-to-plant-earth-day-april-22-2015/, ncsu.edu/project/treesofstrength/benefits.htm, wikihow.com/Plant-a-Tree.
*Notes: The above How to Plant a Tree directions are cut for readability. Full details can be viewed at wikihow.com/Plant-a-Tree.
