Plant a Tree Day 2018:

Hands in The Dirt Highlights

Diana Chaplin | October 2, 2018 | 4 min read

Introducing: Plant a Tree Day!

Move over Earth Day, Plant A Tree Day is quickly catching up as one of our new favorite days of the year! And it's not just because lots of trees were planted, it's because those trees were planted or tended by an incredible group of happy, high-fivin', nature-lovin' volunteers throughout the US, Canada, and beyond.

The final numbers are still coming in, but so far we estimate that over 600 volunteers came out, planting over 7K trees and shrubs, at 30 different locations in California, Utah, New York, Georgia, Vermont, Florida, Oregon, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Montreal, and Toronto. We even had support from Tree Ambassadors who organized their own community planting events in Africa and the Middle East.

Those who didn't plant trees due to the local climate this time of year, helped with removing invasive species, mulching, trimming, watering, and other activities that support healthy tree growth.

Why are we establishing plant a tree day?

While there are LOTS of reasons to celebrate Plant A Tree Day, here are the top two that motivated us to go all out.

  • Fall is a great time to plant trees.
    While most people know that spring is a good time to plant trees, many don't know that fall is also a great time. And in the case of some tree species or climates, it's actually better (see below to explain why). Plus, some trees benefit from tree-care just before winter to continue to grow healthy and strong. So we wanted to do something to raise awareness for trees at this special time of year.
  • Personal experience is priceless.
    Our usual planting events happen in specific locations around the world, so it's pretty rare for a volunteer opportunity to come up near where you live. With Plant A Tree Day, we were able to organize lots of events spread throughout North America so that many more people could attend. And these "hands in the dirt" experiences are immensely valuable and fun! It's a way to connect with the Earth, give back to nature, and become more engaged with your local environment.
plant a tree day 2018 volunteer
plant a tree day 2018 volunteers
plant a tree day 2018 volunteer vermont
plant a tree day 2018 volunteers san diego
plant a tree day 2018 volunteer holyoke massachusetts

Why Plant Trees in The Fall?

Fall is a time of more moisture - from rain and diminished heat - which helps trees establish root systems without wasting energy on producing or sustaining leaves. This allows the roots to get well established before the relative dormancy of winter, and the result is a stronger, better developed root system for the following spring when the tree begins to grow.

When planting in the spring, you run the risk of the upcoming summer's drought hindering growth due to drought, which is why the west coast of North America's typical planting season occurs in the winter, November-February. That's what we're gearing up for next with reforestation projects in California and Oregon.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM PLANT A TREE DAY 2018

Thank you for making our first plant a tree day a success!

Special thanks to all the on-the-ground local partners that helped make our first Plant A Tree Day a huge success!

UNIFI and Utah state forestry, San Diego River Park Foundation, Sonoma Ecology Center, NYC Parks, Brooklyn Bridge Parks Conservancy, Presidio Trust, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Friends of the Morgan Arboretum, Toronto and Region Conservative Authority, Connecticut River Conservancy, Million Trees Miami, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, The Greening of Detroit, Forest Releaf, Trees Atlanta, and the Laguna Canyon Foundation. THANK YOU!

And we also had support from Noble Oak Bourbon, a purpose-driven company with an incredible team of tree-lovers.

Missed an event? Don't worry, we'll do it again next year. And in the meantime, you can still help us get trees in the ground 🌿

Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most
Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most

Plant Trees Where They're Needed Most

The interconnectedness of ecosystems and their living organisms means that millions of species depend on each other for survival. Reforestation is a vital strategy for restoring biodiversity habitat. Learn more

With your help, we will:

  • Protect endangered species by increasing forest cover
  • Restore holistic ecosystems for a range of flora and fauna
  • Improve soil stability by restoring degraded areas
  • Everything on Earth is connected. As we lose habitat, we also lose biodiversity. This is where trees come in: reforestation helps to restore at-risk ecosystems and habitats, ultimately increasing food supply, health, and overall well-being. Your donation will help to restore forest cover around the world. Reforesting these areas will aid in the protection of endangered species, restoration of holistic ecosystems, and the improvement of soil stability.
  • By planting trees, we help create a safe haven for biodiversity, impacting all of life on Earth. The restoration of degraded ecosystems will also result in improved soil stability, ultimately improving forest cover as a whole!
  • personalized tree certificate (see gallery) to say thanks for your donation. We'll also send you reports about our Biodiversity projects, so you can track the impact your trees are having on the ground!
  • Every tree we plant will have an impact on the surrounding ecosystem, and must be selected with great care. We work with our planting partners to ensure the species we select will provide the intended benefits for wildlife and communities.

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