Choose your
SAVE Our TREE's
Super Challenge
People all over the world are planting trees.
How can I help?
Planting trees
Look after our trees and they will look after you. They are the lungs of our planet, so please love them, protect them and nurture them.
Look after our trees
Save our trees - Save our planet
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I want to
plant a tree!
Teach and tell others
The world needs trees
There are already 3 trillion trees on our planet, this is a very big number, but we need lots more ...
Why do we need more trees and where can we put them?
Trees are the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world's wildlife. They also provide us with the materials for tools and shelter.
Here are some of the different places we could plant more trees:
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Gardens,
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Parks,
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Streets,
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Hedgerows,
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Farmland,
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Urban city centres
During your quest, you have learned a lot about trees,
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You know why they are important,
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You know how to identify them,
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You know who lives in them,
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and you know how to look after them,
Now it is time to start planting them ...
I need
a tree!
You might think it is going to be easy to plant and grow a tree, but we need our tree to survive! We want it to live for hundreds of years, so it can help save our planet. We do not want anything to go wrong and so it is a good idea to plan for your tree's arrival.
Here are some things you will need to think about:
Start making a plan!
Find a piece of paper or a notebook and start writing things down. This will demonstrate to people that you are serious about planting a tree and you will find it much easier to persuade them to give you somewhere to plant it.
It is a good idea to know where you are going to plant your tree before you get it. This is because different species of trees like to grow in different places and they grow in many different shapes and sizes.
Where will
I plant it?
If you have a small garden
you might want to grow a
fruit tree.
It will not grow too big for your garden and will also give you food to eat.
If you want to plant a tree in your town or village or you know a friendly farmer or landowner.
You could grow a much bigger tree and arrange for somewhere to plant it.
Always ask permission before you plant your tree.
This is very important because if the landowner does not know the tree is there or who planted it, they might just dig it up and all of your hard work will have been for nothing.
You could also plant your tree in someone else's tree planting scheme!
What species of
tree will I need?
When you have decided where to plant your tree, take a good look around ...
The species of trees you see growing in the area might be the best ones to grow because they like to live in the local environment.
This is not to say that other species of trees will not grow here, but it might be a good idea to investigate the conditions they need before you plant them.
If you are planting near water you could plant a willow tree, because willow trees like damp soil and plenty of water
If you are planting near buildings you could plant a fruit tree, because its roots will not damage the foundations.
If you are planting
in a woodland area you could plant an oak tree, because this will encourage more wildlife into the area.
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Write down the different species of trees you can see growing in the area.
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You can also write down the type of tree you might like to plant. This will remind you to investigate if it could live here!
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How big will the tree grow?
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It might grow too tall and block someone's view or stop light reaching their property!
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How wide will your tree grow?
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It might grow too wide and block pathways or get in the way of traffic!
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Will your tree like the type of soil it will be growing in?
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You might need to learn about the pH Scale and why it is important?
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What would I need
to investigate?
You might I need to investigate?
Find out why soil pH is important.
Find out how to test soil for its pH value.
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Grow from seed.
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Grow from cuttings.
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Buy a tree.
Here are some different ways you can get a tree
Growing from seed
Take a look at this video on Love it TV - There are lots of things to think about when growing a tree from seed. The process of growing a tree from a seed is called germination.
This process can differ between different types of seed and so you might need to investigate how to germinate the seed you are trying to grow.
Make notes as you watch the video, there might be some important information about the seeds you are trying to germinate.
Bonkers for Conkers
How to grow a horse-chestnut tree from seed.
pH Facts
pH (potential of hydrogen) is a scale of acidity from 0 to 14. It tells us how acidic or alkaline a substance is. More acidic solutions, have lower pH. More alkaline solutions, have higher pH. Substances that aren't acidic or alkaline (that is, neutral solutions) usually have a pH of 7. Acids have a pH that is less than 7. Alkalis have a pH that is greater than 7.
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Write down the results of your investigations and the species of tree you have decided to plant.
Where will I get
my tree from?
There is nothing wrong with being friends with a tree.
Growing from cuttings
How to Root Hardwood Cuttings
Some trees and shrubs grow quickly and easily from cuttings. In fact, for certain species, planting tree branches has a greater chance of success than planting seeds.
Hardwood cuttings are typically taken in early spring or early winter when the plant is not actively growing, but cuttings can be taken anytime of the year.
Buy a tree
Watch this Love it TV video to find out how to grow trees from cuttings.
Buy a tree to plant yourself
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Little to no scarring on the trunk.
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Minimal dead branches throughout the crown (hopefully none!).
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An overall healthy appearance—avoid a beaten-up looking tree.
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No blotches or holes on the leaves (pests or disease).
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A strong central trunk as the main feature. Avoid a double trunk.
There are many internet sites where you can buy trees.
Trees can benefit your home and garden in so many different ways. ... Conveniently order a tree (or several) online and it will be delivered straight to your door, waiting to be planted.
Buy online
Buy from a garden centre
Your tree will need to be healthy and in good condition, if it is going to survive and so here are some things to look out for when buying a tree:
Buy a tree that someone else will plant for you.
You could dedicate a tree to the national forest! This means that you can buy a tree and the National Forest will plant it for you ...
Alternatively, you could plant a tree with us?
Give a gift that keeps on growing. Join us at one of our special planting events, and personally plant your tree in the National Forest. Our experienced team will give you a warm welcome and be on hand to help make your day special.
We'll plant a tree for you
Help grow the Forest by dedicating a tree. Each sapling you purchase is helping to create woodland habitats that will benefit people and wildlife for years to come. Whether you want to give back to the environment or share a special gift with someone else, each purchase comes with a personalised certificate for you to print at home and the guarantee that we will plant a sapling.
How will I
plant it?
How to plant a tree
Can I help other people plant their trees?
Planting a tree for someone else
The world needs more trees
There are many tree planting schemes you can get involved in.
There might be one in your community,
There will certainly be one in your country and there are many worldwide tree planting schemes.
Help plant a forest in Oxfordshire
BE PART OF SOMTHING BIGGER!
How can I get
involved?
How can I
help?
Reforesting Scotland ...
There are other organisations you could help, you will just need to search for them on the internet ...
Can I raise money
to help plant lots
of trees?
We have given you some examples below, but you would not have to search very hard to find many more.
You can follow the organisation you choose to help and see what they are doing with your money and how many trees they are planting. You will feel very proud as you watch their forests grow and realise you have helped and so are part of it.
Raising money - Why not have a Knick-Knack Tree Picnic!
Raise money to help others ...
Part of the fun is raising money ...
Here are some organisations you can help ...
Inspiring restoration.
We envision a world in which it is normal for everyone to protect and restore themselves and their world.
Worldwide
There are many different ways to raise money. At the Knick-Knack Tree Adventures, we decided to have a Knick-Knack Tree Picnic!
Europe
You could organise one in your community.
There are many tree planting schemes around the world, in Europe and the Uk.
How we bring the world into sustainable forestry
A tree in an EcoTree forest pays for itself, so it’s easy for anyone to invest in sustainable forestry. But how do we do it?
UK
Trees in bloom at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Bedfordshire - National Trust Images / David Sellman.
With the National Trust
Are you curious about trees?
Woodlands & Forests
When you have completed your Quest - Press the GOLD Button.
