Tree planting.

By Naomi Ndichu.

A tree is a living thing inform of a plant that grows on land. There are different kinds and species of trees growing in different part of the country. Some trees are indigenous, like pine, cider, Olive Africana Etc. While others are exotic. Exotic trees ere introduced and planted in a given area, for example, Cyprus, Eucalyptus and fruit trees.

Planting is the process of placing seeds, cuttings or suckers into the soil so that a plant can germinate, grow fast, strongly and mature successfully. The soil should be fertile and well aerated and there should be enough water and sunlight. Good spacing from one tree to another should be considered.

Procedure for making a seedbed

Seeds are delicate and should be sown on fine soil before transplanting. The following procedure can be helpful when making a seed bed and sowing the seeds;

Ø Dig a small piece of land about 100cm by 50cm and make sure the piece is on a raised level compared to other places.

Ø Break up the soil boulder to ensure the soil is smooth.

Ø Make furrows depending on the size of the seeds. If the seeds are large, make deep furrows and if seeds are small, make shallow furrows.

Ø Place the seeds on the furrows and make sure that the seeds do not overlap.

Ø Sprinkle some smooth soil on the top of the seeds in order to cover them.

Ø Make a shade for the seedbed by placing supporting objects at each corner of the seedbed.

Ø Then crisscross some light straight and stiff objects like wires on top of the seedbed.

Ø Then place some dry grass on top of the wires and make sure that the grass allows easy penetration of water and sunlight.

Ø Apply enough water to the seedbed after the above task.

Ø Make sure you apply enough water everyday by use of a watering can or sprinklers.

Ø After the seeds have germinated and are about 5cms long uproot them gently and place them in small nylon papers which are already filled with fertile soil.

Ø Make small holes on the papers to allow easy root penetration and lose of excess water.

Ø Arrange the seedlings somewhere and provide some shade.

Ø Continue applying water until the seedlings reach a height of 10cms.

Ø Plough thoroughly the piece of land that you want to plant your trees.

Ø Make holes of about 50cms deep and 35cms wide. The distant from one hole to another should be about 100cms for better growth.

Ø Return some soil to about 10cms in height.

Ø It is advisable to apply some manure or fertilizer and some pesticides to prevent the trees from attack by pests and diseases.

Ø Carefully remove the seedlings from the papers to avoid soil breakup that can lead to distortion of roots.

Ø Plant the seedlings and do not fill the hole with soil since it requires some space to hold water.

Ø Apply enough water to the seedlings after planting.

Ø Make sure you apply enough water on daily basis until when the seedling is stable and able to be sustained by rainwater.

Why Trees are important.

i. Tree play an important role in water cycle and this increases the probability of rainfall.

ii. They are useful in soil conservation because the roots holds the soil firmly, branches and leaves act as wind breakers thus preventing water and wind erosion.

iii. Tree provides material for building and construction.

iv. They are used in fencing to prevent animal from destroying farms.

v. As a source of fuel inform of wood and charcoal.

vi. They help in the refreshment of air since they use the carbon dioxide that is exhaled by animals and produces oxygen that is needed by animals and human beings.

vii. Forested are is a good shelter for wild animals and birds.

viii. They act as natural beauty.

People should therefore, try as much as possible to plant more trees so as to reclaim our God given beautiful land. Trees should be planted in all parts of the country while doing both a forestation and reforestation. Irresponsible clearing of trees leads to deforestation. This can be avoided by making sure that two trees are planted, whenever one is cut down.

There is no doubt that trees are the backbone, of human’s very survival. Yohannes GebreMichael and Ann Waters-Bayer, from Ethiopia, have published a book called “Trees are our Back borne” The books shows that about 85% of energy used in the rural areas comes from biomass. About two-thirds of this is wood, the remainder being dung and crop residues. In cities, 50% of the energy comes from charcoal and 40% from wood.

In the government’s a forestation campaigns, protected areas are often planted with exotic species for fuel or fodder or simply for vegetation cover. If the country’s inhabitants could plant more and more, the problems caused by climate change could soon be alleviated.

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Naomi Ndichu. Is a resident of Sipili, she is a form four leaver, currently studying computer packages at the Ngarua Community Knowledge Center. She is among the community members accessing and using lots of reading materials from the C.K.C. Computer students contribute short topical articles for publication in the C.K.C blog, the OKN and othe ALIN Magazines.

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