The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now!

For my birthday this year I had asked my friends for only one thing: Trees!

Many donated money for trees and and a group of about 15 of us including some volunteers  ventured out to Yelahanka on a fine Saturday morning to get our hands dirty. Under the guidance of Mrs. Janet from the NGO “Trees for free” it took us approximately 3 hours to plant 100 saplings of fruit and flower trees.

And even though we were quite exhausted after that, we left with a feeling of great accomplishment. We planted something that will reap rewards for years to come and benefit our city, planet and future generations.

Apart from the obvious environmental benefit it is a beautiful feeling to create something together with your friends that you know will grow and remain there and carry fruits in the years to come.  Although we might not be together in this city anymore, this garden will be there J

Get your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors together. Celebrate your anniversary, your child’s birth or your graduation. Plant in commemoration of a loved one. Plant because you are getting together with your school friends after many years. Plant without any reason at all J

Organizations like treesforfree.org or saytrees.org will guide you on how, where and when to plant to make sure the saplings are well maintained and taken care of afterwards. Additionally your RWA can help you in getting necessary permissions to plant saplings in your immediate neighborhood.

Need some facts on why we need trees?

• Over the course of its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide.
• One person causes about 10 tons of carbon dioxide to be emitted a year. Planting 10 trees per person will remove each person's carbon debt for the year.
• Approximately 300 trees can counter-balance the amount of pollution 1 person produces in life time.
• A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. So two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four.

Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30%.

Trees keep our air clean, they reduce noise pollution, improve water quality, help prevent erosion, create shade and look beautiful.

I hope this will inspire and motivate some people to do the same. If you would like to know more or if you need any hands in a plantation drive please get in touch with me J

Lots of love,

Friederike