Plant a Tree Plant a Hope

Trees play a vital role in the world. Trees absorb dioxide and turn it into oxygen. The natural carbon dioxide cycle keeps a balance in the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere. But humans actions and behaviors cause changes which upset this natural balance.

The creation of too many greenhouse gases cause an imbalance with heat being trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, increasing the overall average temperature resulting in global warming.

Planting tree is one of the most effective ways to offset our carbon emissions, as well as beautifying an area.

Below are steps to plant a seedling:

• Select a planting location that receives six or more hours of direct sunlight per day for "full sun" trees or a location that receives four to six hours of direct sunlight per day for "partial sun" trees. Make sure to choose a location that also provides well-draining soil.
• Dig a hole wide and deep enough to cover the root system.
• Handle seedlings by the base of the stem, taking care not to bruise the bark.
• Lay the roots straight down the hole in a natural arrangement. Do not bunch, spiral, double-over or bend roots.
• Keep stones and twigs out of the hole (they create air pockets that dry out roots).
• Plant seedlings slightly above the root collar swelling.
• Cover with soil. Do not bury live branches or foliage, or leave any roots exposed to the air.
• Tamp soil firmly with toe (not the heel) to remove air pockets.
• Create a mulched area around the tree that is 50 percent larger than the spread of the branches and five to 10 centimetres deep. Wood chips or shredded pine or cedar bark are great mulch, as are oak leaves and pine needles.
• Water your tree generously after planting to ensure that the soil around its roots system is thoroughly moistened. Continue to provide regular supplemental irrigation for your tree to keep the soil consistently moist until the tree has established itself in its new location.

Without trees, there would be no life on this planet!