Go Green, Plant a Tree

The Earth’s natural resources, plants and trees included are slowly beginning to become scarce. Because of this, the need to spare and restore our natural environment arises and honestly, it does not take an Einstein to know that a simple tree-planting activity would make a difference in saving mother Earth.

Planting a tree is not as simple as just digging a hole and throwing a seed in it and waiting for it to grow into a healthy tree. If you want the tree you're planting to survive and thrive, here's what to you should do:

1. Know the right time of year for planting the tree. Do not plant in late spring or summer because the heat will stress the plant and may cause it to die. The best time to plant a tree is fall (autumn) or early spring.

2. Choose a suitable tree for the region, climate and space. Ask your teacher or parents about it. You can also do research at your school or community library on the kind of trees that can live in your area. Include in your research the size, shape, and type of these trees.

3. Decide where you want the tree. Remember that trees will grow large, so in addition to arranging it according to how you want the area to look, think ahead. Ask someone to help you with this.

4. Prepare the hole. Take a suitable shovel and dig a hole that is 2-3 times the width of the root ball, not just enough so it will fit. This lets the roots ease in more easily and begin to grow outwards into the soil. It also allows you to cut off the wire root basket if there is one.

5. If it is a small tree, then you can turn it upside down gently to get it out of the pot. You could also cut some plastic containers to remove them.

6. If the tree is larger and has a net or a hessian or rope bag, you might need to use large scissors or a sharp knife to cut through the packaging. Avoid handling the tree with the burlap off. Put it in the hole, then cut as much of the wire basket and burlap as you can from around it. The goal is to keep as much dirt around the roots as possible; moving the tree more than absolutely necessary can easily cause air to get to the roots and dry them out, even inside the root ball.

7. Don't leave a tree's roots out of its container or burlap for too long. Especially in sun and wind, it could dry out and damage the roots.

8. Place the tree into the hole gently. Be sure the hole isn't too deep or too shallow. The ground level of the plant in the pot should match up with the ground level after you fill the hole in. Do not bury over the crown (where the stem changes to root) or leave any roots exposed.

9. Use some compost or composted manure if needed. If the soil that you currently have is not rich, has clay-like qualities or if it has the consistency of dust or sand, the addition of manure or compost will give the tree a great start in life. Backfill three quarters of the hole with existing dirt, one quarter with compost or composted manure.


Unlike in virtual worlds and online games for kids such as eKidnaworld.com where planting simply involves buying pots, soil and seeds, and watering it to let it grow healthily, growing an actual tree needs a lot of serious attention and calls for a responsible person. With the help of your mum, dad or older sibling, maybe you can start growing your own tree now.