Environment, History & Traditions, Motivational

Sunday Sayings – Planting Trees

Forestwood
Toowoomba street and painted bird with lavender

“Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” ~Greek Proverb

Goodreads.com

The Chinese sages also appreciated their value:

Chines proverb about planting a tree in a voice bubble

Let us not forget the importance of creating nature; fostering and nurturing Mother Earth.

Trees provide so many benefits to our everyday lives. They filter clean air, provide fresh drinking water, help curb climate change, and create homes for thousands of species of plants and animals. Planting a Billion Trees can help save the Earth from deforestation.

Helping to Plant Trees

Depending on location, it costs between $1-$3 to plant a tree including ongoing maintenance and stewardship. Including organizational overheads, I see this as a real bargain, especially for something that might last 70 years!

The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign is a major forest restoration effort with a goal of planting a billion trees across the planet.

So you don’t have the time or don’t want to get your hands dirty? I hear you, but you can still support the various organizations around the world depending on your preferred location.

Tree Planting Organizations

Landcare – Australia; (not for profit)

Greening Australia – 20 locations around Australia (also not for profit) 25 million plants established; 15,000 hectares of habitat restored; 150,000 tonnes of carbon sequestered per annum

Reforestnow – based in Byron Bay Austalia (not for profit) -planted  105,227 trees to restore rainforest in Australia on behalf of donors from around the world (as at 23 Mar 2021).  $5per tree.

Onetreeplanted – a global not for profit organization working against deforestation. $1 per tree.

Graph Source: One Tree Planted

Plant a billion trees initiative – South America, Africa and China

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Go Ahead.

Our planet depends on it.

Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

70 thoughts on “Sunday Sayings – Planting Trees”

  1. Absolutely. We have 6 hectares of land and have planted some number of 1000s of plants on it in the last 6 years (I have lost count). I was saying to my partner last night, one day we will sell, I don’t care what people do with the house we built at that point but I would be gutted if they chopped down the trees! We live in a dry place (not by Oz standards though!) so it is time consuming and slow to get trees to grow and all the original trees were chopped down and burnt many decades ago.

    Liked by 11 people

      2. That is awesome to hear, Jane. I love to hear stories like that. I am wondering what species they might be and if you aim to replicate the flora genome of the area?

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  2. I love the thinking plant now for later. We do the same here as we did at our previous home, which sadly was all removed for the highway to go through unbeknown to us, as we were told only part of the front yard would be lost. We have learnt to plant any way, as you just never know. I watched neighbours rip out perfectly good native & fruit orchards, tear down green house structures rip up garden beds so everything looked (“clean”) for the sale of their properties. Thankfully with one of the places at least the new owners have replanted a lot I told them about what was there & they were disappointed that it was gone, but at least they were happy to regrow it all & we were happy that they were like minded in that regard. Great post. Have a great day.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Yes it is a shame that real estate sales encourage the “clean” look. I guess it does aid the sale for a certain sector of the population. Yet, it depends on the clientele you wish to attract. In a rural area, unless you are looking at large scale cultivation, one would think that vegetation, particularly native vegetation or fruit producing orchards may be seen as an asset. It is good to hear that folks are replanting. If for no other reason, as a guard against erosion.
      Have a great day too, Linda.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Hi Amanda, Your initial proverb shares a great deal of wisdom. We are lucky to have many trees where we live, yet controversy on how forests are managed, replanted and cared for. You are right, “our planet depends on it.” A great post!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Hello Eric/ka, I have heard various people say, oh there are loads of trees about. But it is often the quality of the trees is low, or that they see plenty them on the fringes of the highways, and there is nothing much behind that as it has been cleared for agriculture. Apparently countries like Lebanon, Ireland and Denmark were covered in forests, which were cut down for building boats, structures or for firewood. We don’t tend to think of those countries with forests, but even historically, re-growth could not keep up with deforestation levels of man. It is crazy when we most of us love the forests, that there is endless debate on how much we keep and how we manage it. 30% of the world – possibly much less now used to be covered in forests, and that leaves a lot of area without it.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. A good point about the fringes of the highway, Amanda. I know it happens in our province. Education, awareness and action is a good thing. Thank you for your post.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. I am lucky I don’t have to plant trees on my place, natural regeneration grows more trees than I could ever plant. I assist others to plant through my work with Landcare. I did notice you didn’t have stats for Landcare tree planting. Landcare has been going since 1986 so imagine the number of trees that have been planted in 35 years Australia wide. Mind boggling huh?

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Thinking of the number of trees Landcare has planted in the last 35 years, is a good environmental story, Brian. Yay to that! I wonder if they have stats on the survival rates? Many of the native species can be quite resilient and I love the species that have the ability to coppice or re-grow after being cut back. I believe we were exporting some of those species to Africa at one stage?
      I am also really pleased to hear that you don’t need to plant any on your property and that even after the fires, the trees are able to quickly reclaim the forest that was taken from them. I thought of you when writing this post, knowing that you are involved in the Landcare projects in your area. We need more supporters of projects across all areas, and hopefully the groups can grow along with the trees.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Amanda. Survival rates are very weather and maintenance dependent. There are many Australian trees that are now a pest/weed species in other countries.
        My canopy is recovering well. Looking out from my office is now a sea of green and not black sticks.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I do think it is important to have a cohesive strategy for Government policy in management of forests. Thank you for your comment. Are you located in a forested area? I am on the coast but we have dedicated conservation areas close by.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. We live in the woods, surrounded by trees. Love them. For the past few days, I have been picking up twigs and branches. A spring chore. We’ll use the branches and twigs in our fire pit this summer.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. The woods are a perfect location for a writer, Laurie. How delightful! And you are making use of the kindling for the fire pit, as well. I used to have a wood burning heater at my old place, and I would collect sticks on my walks with my old dog for the same purpose.

      Liked by 1 person

      3. Graham crackers, roasted marshmallows (over the fire), and pieces of Hershey chocolate bars. We’ve tried better chocolate, but somehow Hershey tastes the best. No doubt because of childhood memories.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. One of the most impressive plantings in Australia has been the creation of the arboretum in Canberra. There are ‘forests’ of 100 important tree species from around the world. The arboretum officially opened in 2013 on the hills that burned in the 2003 bushfires. I will never see the forests in their full glory but I cherish their existence and love watching them grow.

    Liked by 8 people

  8. A very important subject indeed, Amanda. As you well know, trees have been at the forefront of my mind these last few weeks more than ever. I have always been partial to taking care of trees from my first understanding of them. When I had to take down trees on my last husbands property, I planted 3 for each that came down. Turned out, I got them down just in time. They were dying from the inside out. I’ve found the trees that were so damaged here due to ice storm would have done much better had anyone done even the simplest of pruning so the trees didn’t get so rangy and weak. All the forest behind me needs massive care but owned by a conglomerate utility company. The park changed hands in the last few years and NO ONE bothered to do any pruning. Now so many are gone. We have discussed many times how important trees are in nature and to our very survival. I have 7 new cedar trees that self planted 2 years ago that have survived the ice. They are too close to the fence but I could not bring myself to remove them. I’d rather lose the fence. But alas, none are actually under my control. My property is leased so I have no say. We have to keep trying. You are doing a good job of it.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. “We have to keep trying.” Indeed we do, Marlene. In a wild grown forest, it would be natural to have rangly and weak trees as the trees that would fall in a storm, would naturally make way for new, younger ones growing up into the light. The fallen trees nourish the soil, through wood rotting fungi and provide homes and shelter for many animal species.
      However, in an urban setting, this is not necessary, so yes, it is a shame that they didn’t prune them so that they could endure for longer. Some species grow so slowly, particularly the longer living ones. I assume these species don’t regrow or coppice like our Australian Eucalypts can do?
      Cedar trees are especially lovely. It is a little sliver of immortality there – if those trees survive to seed and the seeds flourish into newer trees, you will have made a positive difference to your little corner of the world that will endure for centuries. Well done. Love the plant 3 for every one that was lost! May we all follow that rule!

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Sunday Sayings – Trees On Sunday, April 4, 2021, Something to Ponder About wrote:

    > Forestwood posted: ” “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose > shade they know they shall never sit in.” ~Greek ProverbGoodreads.com Let > us not forget the importance of creating nature; fostering and nurturing > Mother Earth. Trees provide so many benef” >

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Hi, Amanda – Yes to planting trees now to assist the future. There are so many ways to do this.
    One creative way is joining the Conqueror Walking Challenge (just one of a multiple of examples). They currently plant a tree for every milestone set on your journey (e.g. On my recent 300 km virtual walk, 6 real-life trees were planted). Win-win!
    Thank you for sharing this.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Ooo! That is a double winning project, Donna. You get fit and they plant the trees. Imagine how many they would have planted if it was during the walk on the Camino?

      Liked by 1 person

    1. It is a lovely saying, Stuart. I do like the visual image of someone enjoying the shade under a tree someone they will never know planted. And with exact intention. That future generations can enjoy. It is quite a contrast to what happense in our life, ie the consumption of resources. It is a way to return the gifts we have for us.
      I totally agree it is a great saying and a wonderful community spirit.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I like trees. I once read that you should try to plant one tree per year while you’re living in your house. That way future homeowners will benefit. Would love to say we’ve done that here, but we haven’t. We’re more on a one tree every two years schedule. But we’re helping in our small way.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Excellent to hear that, Ally. Any tree planting is way better than none, Ally. I am always planting something, so it is likely I am on schedule or hopefully on top of the schedule you mention. I will keep that in mind as I live in this new home.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. Trees are so important. A pity many still feel threatened by trees. We have always planted trees wherever we lived. How often do we walk past an old house and throughout its entire life not a single tree or shrub has been planted. The lawn is perfect though and no effort is spared to have the perfect lawn.
    Trees give shade and nourishment to the soul. Lawns are boring and unnatural.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I do agree with you, Gerard. I know houses as you describe’ and tbh, they annoy me. Guzzling copious amounts of water and cobtributing nothing or very little, to provide homes and sustainance for the wildlife of an area. They should be banned and left to the Golf courses of the world.
      You would think anyone would enjoy attracting bird species to their gardens.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I feel like councils have really picked up on tree planting these past few years on curbsides and parks. I’ve noticed more and more- about time! I’d love to see more greenery ontop of station roofs etc. Especially with our climate, we could do with more tree cover and shade.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Great point about using roof spaces. And Councils do try to enhance suburban landscapes more now. Sometimes they choose problem trees. Hopefully now, they have worked out the best species to use.
      The wonderful colonnades and canopies of mature trees in older suburbs are testament to both the saying and the importance of tree plantings.

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I love trees. I saw a little graphic the other day comparing the branches of a tree to the branches in our lungs, and they are startlingly similar. We breathe in what the trees breathe out, it’s beautiful.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. There is some kind of symbiotic synchrony there, with the trees and our lungs, isn’t there.
      I love to lie on the ground at the beach or in the forest and look up through the branches to the sky. It is quite mediatitive and calming.

      Liked by 1 person

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  22. This is a great initiative. I love planting trees myself. I think planting trees is easy but taking care of them so that they can reach their appropriate age is more important. It’s a real struggle. I have seen so many concerned citizens in my home country that how they consumed their so much time and effort in planting trees and then from nowhere trees mafia comes and uprooted all newly planted plants and trees for their profits. It’s heartbreaking to see such happenings. But we never stop planting trees. It’s a real struggle.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. How awful that there are people who are interested in destroying other’s initiatives to reforest areas. That is sad. Business has a lot to answer for in terms of environmental degradation. It is easy for them to justify if it is done in the name of feeding people.
      And you are correct about the maintenance. Once established the trees often sort themselves out, but until then they are vulnerable and need a little TLC.

      Liked by 1 person

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