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The United Nations Environment Programme has started a campaign to get people to plant at least a billion trees in 2007. The campaign for pledges started this month and already more than 65.5 million trees have been pledged.

There are a number of advantages to planting trees:

1. To reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the air.
2. To prevent and/or reduce soil erosion and landslides.
3. To provide habitat for local animals and birds.
4. To stabilise water resources.
5. To provide shade.

Although one billion trees won’t replace anywhere near all those that have been lost, it is a start, and hopefully this campaign will interest people enough for them to want to continue with it every year. If we did want to replace all the trees which have been cut down over the past 10 years, we would have to plant 14 billion trees.

The campaign encourages the planting of native trees which are suitable for the local environment. Both individuals and organisations can make a pledge from 1 tree up to 10 million trees. It is up to those making the pledge to follow through and plant the trees.

The UNEP provides steps on how to plant a tree:

1. Dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball to allow the roots to spread out. Remove the tree from its container, carefully cut off broken roots, and slightly loosen the root ball.
2. Place the tree in the planting hole. Always lift the tree by the root ball and never by the trunk. Spread periphery roots outwards. Avoid planting the tree too deep. Make sure that the soil line of the young tree is higher than the surface of the surrounding hole.
3. Shovel some soil into the planting hole. Check the planting depth and adjust if needed. Confirm that the tree is straight. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Pat the soil around the base of the root ball.
4. It is not recommended to apply fertiliser at the time of planting. Water the seedling thoroughly with a slow stream of water the settle the soil. Do not stake the tree. The sooner the tree can stand alone, the sooner it will become strong.
5. If suitable, space trees well to avoid competition for air and soil nutrients, and to encourage the growth of branches. Watch out for drought conditions and provide water if needed, especially during the first few months.

Fill in the form to make your pledge and encourage others to do so.

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