Nelson Henderson famously said, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” His sentiment is one of my favorites, and it happens to be an apt reminder for this weekend and this election year.
With Earth Day on Monday and Friday’s Arbor Day coming up, there are loads of opportunities to get native tree saplings and help with reforestation events. I wholeheartedly encourage you to participate in this activity and to bring your friends and family along with you.
As you do, think of it as an exercise of your political muscles. By showing up to these tree planting activities, you signal to those around you that environmentally-focused efforts are worthwhile and worth investment. As someone who spent days handing out trees at parks, schools, and farmers markets, I can attest that your participation will be meaningful, and it will likely be tracked in some way. Your presence is a little vote saying you care about the outdoor environment in your community.
Planting a tree is also an opportunity to build the habit of living out your pro-community, pro-social values. As more and more trees are being cut down in the interest of new housing developments, shopping centers, and widened streets, you are doing the opposite. You are creating a space for living, for experiencing beauty, and for slowing down.
Interestingly enough, the spring is not the easiest time to plant trees. With little saplings just taking root in spring, they don’t have much time to establish themselves before the hot and dry months ahead. They need watering at least a couple of days a week. They could also use someone clearing out the fast-growing grass around their base, watching out for damaging insects, and creating barriers between their new leaves and hungry deer.
In short, they need vigilance and consistent TLC, kind of similar to our democracy and our environmental movements. As you make a ritual out of caring for your young tree, remember what it represents. You’re planting a tree that will provide habitats for a host of creatures that are vital to our ecosystem, choosing biodiversity over neat and clean, low-maintenance lawn care. You are actively participating in making a world with healthier air, water, and climate. You are valuing future generations over personal comfort each time you carry a watering can or rake to your tree.
These little acts, repeated over time, create meaningful habits that tower like an elm. Whatever change they have on the world, they are also having on you personally. You are making a routine of working for something, not knowing what will come or who will benefit. You are making it usual to connect to nature, seeing beauty in the outdoor environment. You are, everyday, making the world a better place.
Loved this. I want to plant trees and flowers, at the moment I cannot do much physically due to back surgery, but I will..
My family did this together for my son’s Boy Scout group. It was a lot of fun and extremely rewarding.