A guide to tree planting, more detailed information.

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Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth is an ornamental aquatic plant, introduced to India by British in 1900s. Now if you think any lakes overpopulated by weeds, mostly it is by these invasive plants. These are free floating plants and with green glossy thick leave and 6 petals lavender colored flowers. These can double their population in a fortnight!

Most of the birds lay eggs on these leaves thinking that can support the eggs, but it does not! If not controlled, Hyacinth will cover lakes and blocks water flow, blocks sun light and reduce oxygen in water thus killing aquatics and imbalances natural lifecycle in manmade lakes. Kerala backwaters, Bellandur Lake are notable examples.

Per a survey conducted by Bangalore University, Bellandur Lake contains highest level of heavy metals. This is due the Hyacinth has a capacity to absorb Cr, Cd, Co, Hg and Ni.

If utilized judiciously industrial water pollution can be controlled. This improves nitrification of soil. These are used for cattle food, bags, ropes made from fibers and biogas production.

These can be controlled by herbicides or plant shredding machine and BBMP is spending huge tax payer’s money to conserve the lakes.

Native trees

Native species are those that occur in the region in which they evolved. Plants evolve over geologic time in response to physical and biotic processes characteristic of a region: the climate, soils, timing of rainfall, drought, and frost; and interactions with the other species inhabiting the local community. Thus native plants possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions, providing a practical and ecologically valuable alternative for landscaping, conservation and restoration projects, and as livestock forage. In addition, native plants can match the finest cultivated plants in beauty, while often surpassing non-natives in ruggedness and resistance to drought, insects and disease. 
Ex: Mango, Amla, Champka, Arjuna, Jamun, Chandana, bel, Shivani, Guggula etc...

Singpore Cherry tree

Gasagase mara or commonly known as Singapore cherry is native of Central America.
These fast growing trees now commonly adapted on road sides in India due to its wide shade area yet grown shortly up to 30 feet which adapts to various soil conditions and draught resistant . More people like for its car parking shade in Bengaluru :). The fruit attracts sparrows, flower peckers, bee eaters and fruit bats. Children enjoy ripened red fruit throughout the year.
The tree associated with its place and hence the name Singapore cherry or Panama tree or Jamaican cherry
The fruits are commercial crop in South America and used for tea, juice, Jam, antiseptic etc.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus or Fever tree or Gum tree is an Australian native and varieties count for 700 and more. Has been used commercially and in medicines since 1800 due to Britishers introducing outside Oz. Introduced in India by Tippu Sultan on basement of Nandi Hills, 1790 and in 1843 introduced at Nilgiri hills, Tamilnadu.

It has excellent remedy for respiratory related illness along with properties of anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-oxidant and expectorant properties. Eucalyptus is used as infusion tea with medical supervision. Children under age 6 should not be consumed internally.

Many Indian state governments promoted during 1960-80 to meet demand for paper industry and replacing low value natural forests. These grow very fast in years and send vast network of roots and used in marshy areas to reduce swamps and thus, Malaria. Wood has great value as fire woods and Australia is famous for its forest fires due to these.

Lots of researches were done in 1984 near Hosakote for beliefs and summarized as
-No depletion in water table due to Eucalyptus
-Does not consume more water than a typical tree
-Slight reduction in soil nutrition
-Due to monoculture, affects bio diversity and wild life.

Contrary to above, Karnataka government has passed bill in 1984 to plant in barren lands only due to concerns by farmers and to plant in area with 500-750mm rainfall.

All about planting trees

WHEN TO PLANT TREES
Time for planting trees depends on the region, availability of irrigation facility, rainfall.We recommend rainy season as the best time for planting.Young saplings will have sufficient time to root and acclimatization before the onset of intense heat and dryness of summer or freezing temperature of winter.
Newly planted trees do best when exposed to moderate temperature and rainfall.

MATCHING TREE TO THE SITE
1)WHEN PLANTING NEAR HOUSE:-
If you need a tree as a windbreak, plant evergreen trees on the west or north side of the house, approximately 50 feet or more from the house.
If you want a tree to enhance optimal temperatures, plant deciduous (autumn leaf-dropping) trees on the south and/or west side of the house. These tree positions tend to cool in the summer and allow sun to enter the house in the winter.
2)WHEN PLANTING IN CITIES
Consider TREES proximity to buildings, sidewalks, driveways, streets,overhead and buried utility lines.Tall trees should not be planted below high tension wires.

SPACING BETWEEN TREES
Small trees should be planted at a distance of 5 metres from each other and big trees at a distance of 10 metres from each other.
Trees should be atleast 5 metres away from the nearest building.

AFTERCARE
Trees need to be taken care till they reach certain age and height is essential. Though lakhs of saplings are planted by our government each year, a lucky few blossom as big trees. Once the rains cease, the saplings need to be watered regularly, protected from cattle and pests and insects, given manure.
A little help from you in watering the nearby trees will definitely help.


HOW TO PLANT TREES
1)DIG THE PIT
Trees should be transplanted in pits no deeper than the depth of the root or the container in which they were originally grown. The width of the pit should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball This will provide the tree with enough soil for its root structure to establish itself.Too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can’t expand sufficiently.

2)FROM CONTAINER TO THE PIT-
Remove the sapling from the container, slightly loosen the roots as they are tightly compressed in the container.

3)FERTILISE THE SAPLINGS
Add organic fertiliser around the soil.

4)WATER THE PLANT
Tree sapling should be watered regularly during the dry season.

Do a survival check:-

How we plant trees:-
1)we buy saplings.
2)We buy the fense.
3)we will survey the area for under ground cables and over head cables.
4)We plant native trees.
5)We look after the trees for 3 summers.


A wicked man once unintentionally watered a sapling while washing his hands.On account of this he was rewarded with one day stay in heaven.

How to plant trees

WHEN TO PLANT TREES
Time for planting trees depends on the region, availability of irrigation facility, rainfall.We recommend rainy season as the best time for planting.Young saplings will have sufficient time to root and acclimatization before the onset of intense heat and dryness of summer or freezing temperature of winter.
Newly planted trees do best when exposed to moderate temperature and rainfall.

MATCHING TREE TO THE SITE
1)WHEN PLANTING NEAR HOUSE:-
If you need a tree as a windbreak, plant evergreen trees on the west or north side of the house, approximately 50 feet or more from the house.
If you want a tree to enhance optimal temperatures, plant deciduous (autumn leaf-dropping) trees on the south and/or west side of the house. These tree positions tend to cool in the summer and allow sun to enter the house in the winter.
2)WHEN PLANTING IN CITIESConsider TREES proximity to buildings, sidewalks, driveways, streets,overhead and buried utility lines.Tall trees should not be planted below high tension wires.

SPACING BETWEEN TREES
Small trees should be planted at a distance of 5 metres from each other and big trees at a distance of 10 metres from each other.
Trees should be atleast 5 metres away from the nearest building.

AFTERCARE
Trees need to be taken care till they reach certain age and height is essential. Though lakhs of saplings are planted by our government each year, a lucky few blossom as big trees. Once the rains cease, the saplings need to be watered regularly, protected from cattle and pests and insects, given manure.
A little help from you in watering the nearby trees will definitely help.


HOW TO PLANT TREES
1)DIG THE PIT
Trees should be transplanted in pits no deeper than the depth of the root or the container in which they were originally grown. The width of the pit should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball This will provide the tree with enough soil for its root structure to establish itself.Too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can’t expand sufficiently.

2)FROM CONTAINER TO THE PIT-
Remove the sapling from the container, slightly loosen the roots as they are tightly compressed in the container.

3)FERTILISE THE SAPLINGS
Add organic fertiliser around the soil.

4)WATER THE PLANT
Tree sapling should be watered regularly during the dry season.

Do a survival check:-

How we plant trees:-
1)we buy saplings.
2)We buy the fense.
3)we will survey the area for under ground cables and over head cables.
4)We plant native trees.
5)We look after the trees for 3 summers.


A story goes that a wicked man once unintentionally watered a sapling
while washing his hands.
On account of this he was
rewarded with one day stay in heaven.

Tree needs soil not a concrete base !

Benagluru is being beautified, and part of the work seems to involve constructing pavements from Kundanahalli to Kadugodi on the Outer ring road...
The work is happening in good speed but does it make any sense?

Trees roots are being completely covered by concrete, no surface water can seep in to ground to be absorbed by roots of tree. Soon the trees will become weak or growth will be halted, and one day they wall fall off which may result in injury to people. Question comes in mind that does BBMP provide any regulation for contractors while constructing pavements? Or is it just a way of consuming more public money to spend on raw materials which slows recession???

I spoke with the labourers and told them to consider leaving some space around trees and they agreed to it. I will update on the what happens in a future post. The name of the Contractor is Harish.

Some parts near Ramagondanahalli, they have done a good job by providing a grill around the tree stem to collect water.

Some pictures below

If you happen to see this anywhere speak with the labourers and contractors so that the trees are allowed to live. Complaint to BBMP or KFD may delay the process of cleaning, but you can do your bit!

We plant trees! Join and help us

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.
-- John Muir
As thousands of trees have fallen prey to the road widening Project and many fallen illegally by few.Such an act is increasing the temperature in these areas and also take away the much needed shade for vehicle riders.If we dont act now the world will soon be uninhabitable for humans With people dying of drought, floods, heat waves,etc
“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

Let's Integrate For Environement and do our Bit.

LIFE has decided to plant 1,00,000 trees in and around Bengaluru between June-December every year and help provide safe habitat for our birds.
Species of trees chosen by us will be Big trees on which birds can nest or trees which provide fruits to birds

Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money. ~Cree Indian Proverb

Here’s how companies can help.
1. Encourage your employees to adopt one tree by paying Rs. 100 towards one tree, as their contribution. Employees can actively involve themselves in– identify areas to plant trees, help us in creating awareness, dirty there hands and plant trees, help maintain them till they grow, etc.
2. We request companies to come forward and take responsibility for planting and maintaining the trees in their campus.

Here’s how an individual can help.
1. Adopt a tree:-Trees are not given by forest department or BBMP for free though the rates are subsidized. Please help us by adopting a tree by paying 100 rupees that will be used for purchasing saplings, transporting them to the venue, purchasing organic manure, watering the plants for 3 summers.We let you know where we have planted tree sponsored by you.
2. Volunteer with our trust:- You can be a member by just sending an e-mail, joining our google group.Participate in our events.
3. Donate:-No donation is too small.
Please note:-Trust is run by core members who are working professionals from various background.100 percent of the funds are used for community services.
4.Offer your land for tree plantation
School, college, companies, or individuals can contact us for tree plantation.We are happy to plant trees at your place too.We do not encourage planting trees for commercial purpose like eucalyptus, teak etc.

Dos and Don't in LIFE:-
1)"Monocultures are ecological deserts. Tree plantation will not create a forests."
It could be that most people do not realise that the planting trees of a single species, termed as mono-culture, is harmful.
2)We plant only native tree species.

The Date/Time/Venue of tree planting events will be communicated to all. Those who donate towards this initiative will be informed about how and where their donations were used. Companies will be listed with LIFE as Friends of LIFE

People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world which cannot sustain people.

Join us in our efforts to save the planet-“OUR ONLY HOME” for our future generations to come.
Contact person:- sapna.sb@gmail.com