“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now” ― Chinese proverb
I find climate change a difficult subject to broach, and after a bit of contemplation I think it’s because I keep reading and hearing the same thing over and over again yet still feel incapable of actually doing anything to help.
One can get that ‘drop in an ocean’ kind of feeling very quickly and that’s the train of thought we need to get ourselves out of. I’ve been fortunate living at Londolozi as it has served as a great space to easily get involved in environmental and sustainable initiatives which more often than not occur at my doorstep. One of these events occurred at our last 2020 walk around, whereby the Londolozi Family got together to plant trees in our village.
Operations Manager Will Ford and Varty Camp Butler, Margaret Ngobeni plant a tree together
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” ― Warren Buffett
The day before this event I was forwarded a link to an article titled ‘Tree Planting has Mind-Blowing Potential to Tackle Climate Crisis‘ in the Guardian, which is a strategy which I think everyone could get involved in. Life has a funny way of working out, as I sat reading this article and planting trees the following day I realised this had all fallen on South Africa’s Arbor Week. The article brought to life the enormous potential that a simple tree-planting strategy could have for our planet, “New research estimates that a worldwide planting programme could remove two-thirds of all the emissions that have been pumped into the atmosphere by human activities, a figure the scientists describe as “mind-blowing”.
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people”― Franklin D. Roosevelt
What was great about this tree planting strategy is that the areas which have been chosen exclude all crop and urban areas, therefore not impacting food production. “This new quantitative evaluation shows forest restoration isn’t just one of our climate change solutions, it is overwhelmingly the top one,” said Professor Tom Crowther at the Swiss university ETH Zürich, who led the research. “What blows my mind is the scale. I thought restoration would be in the top 10, but it is overwhelmingly more powerful than all of the other climate change solutions proposed.”
“Planting billions of trees across the world is by far the biggest and cheapest way to tackle the climate crisis, according to scientists, who have made the first calculation of how many more trees could be planted without encroaching on crop land or urban areas.”
It seems obvious then that forest restoration should be factored into every national strategy, but it is also something which as individuals, we do not need permission to do. You’d be amazed at all the potential spots for tree planting that you pass on a daily basis. While planting trees with the Londolozi Family it was incredible how many spaces there were for trees which will one day shade the paths and houses we frequent everyday.
“Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking”― Wangari Maathai
Daniel and Molly carefully add soil to one of the saplings. Daniel is a gardener by trade, so was in his element.
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility”― Wendell Berry
Planting trees as a group resulted in an eruption of enthusiasm. The texture of soil in the palm of your hand and the rich smell of earth and herby fragrance of botanicals milling in the air, add to that recognisable and satisfying feeling of securing and giving life to a tree sapling. After a tree planting frenzy we gathered together to enjoy an ice cold beverage, much deserved after an afternoon planting in the heat of early summer.
Healing House therapist, Caylie, packs soil around her newly planted tree sapling
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”― Nelson Henderson
Great blog Jemma. It is so important to plant trees. And the best is to plant indiginous. I try to plant a tree in my garden every year.
Thank you Marinda, that’s wonderful to hear and a great habit to get into. Thanks for sharing
We’ve had the opportunity to plant 4 trees on the property as part of our remembrance of loved ones who appreciated the beauty of Londolozi.
Jemma, Thanks for highlighting this. Trees are the single best equalizer to absorb the carbon dioxide. One can never plant too may trees. This is for everywhere on the planet that can sustain them
I always knew trees had a huge impact but didn’t realise the full extent of it. So glad you agree!
Hello Jemma!
So interesting to read your article. I agree with you! What a good initiative that you and Londolozi Family has taken to plant trees. I live beside a little forest and I love to see and hear the trees and the birds everyday! It’s the animals home, one should never forget that. It is sad to read that they burn and are taking down trees in the Amazonas! When will the leaders learn??! Maybe if they read your article!
Thanks Ann, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. How lucky to live right beside a little forest!
Thinking of a rowan tree for the bottom of the garden. A good article – well done
Thank you Ian, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you posting such an extremely important and vital post! Thank you as well for what you all do at Londolozi and the consciousness you bring 🙂
My daughter is Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, founded by Bobby Kennedy Jr. There are many water alliances world wide. I love that she tries to save the ocean, they have banned plastic bags and straws.
What a wonderful initiative to be apart of!
Beautifully written Jemma and I so enjoyed seeing the various staff members planting their trees. Just think, if everyone took the time and the little effort it takes to plant a tree, how much more improved our environment would be. I enjoy everyday looking at the beautiful 85’ tall Redwood tree my parents planted 40 years as a seedling. The home it provides for our avian population provides a continuous source of entertainment.
Thank you Denise, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it. It ended up being such a fun afternoon. How wonderful that you can enjoy a Redwood planted by your parents!
I hope our one (HUGE) fruit bearing avocado tree in Hawai’i is of some help.
Imagine how much better we would be if everyone in the world planted one tree ,,, better yet one a year for “X” years!
The power of trees is incredible. I recently spent some time at the Woodville Big Tree near Wilderness and walked around the forest there and the feeling you get walking through those forests is great. To hear and see all the bird life and witness a thriving forest ecosystem is just amazing. The big tree is an 800+ year old Outeniqua Yellowood which is just a massive tree of around 33 meters tall with a stem circumference of 12 meters and just to see it and stand close to it was incredible!
Wonderful blog topic, Jemma. This is very doable if all would get on board and plant. Such a easy thing to do with a huge impact. Sadly thousands of acres continue to burn in South America. However united we can overcome. People need to be reminded and your voice did just that. Thanks!