Planting 15000 trees in Madagascar

Some weeks ago, workmen were renovating a building at the hospital grounds in the capital. In the process over 100 young trees had to be dug out, to make room for the new building. One of the people working in the hospital, who knew of our reforestation efforts in the countryside, encouraged the workmen to dig out the young trees and save them. Instead of chopping down the seedlings, the hospital employees took it home, replanted the little trees in pots, watered and tended to them until Zahana could organize a transport to the village. A few weeks later over 100 healthy, young tree saplings where on their way in pots, to be planted in the Malagasy countryside. Since the trees are growing extremely well in the capital, it was his hope that some trees may take root in the village as well and provide shade and groundcover in our mix of different trees in our reforestation efforts.

For those curious among you, the trees have been identified as Iron wood trees (Casuarina equisetifolia). These trees have extremely hard wood and although it is difficult to ignite, it will burn hot (even when green) and the resultant ashes retain their heat for a long time. It has been called the “best firewood in the world”. If the trees will thrive in the arid climate of the high plateau of Madagascar, only time will tell.

Links:

• Growing trees at our schools
• Master gardener and tree experts
• First beginnings in 2006

Our tree planting project turned out to be our biggest success in addition with the school, that is also very successful. Both teachers in both schools have decided that tree planting will be an integral part of this year's curriculum as well. Our master gardeners are continuing to grow seedlings, often from seeds that people bring them from other trees they have encountered along the way.

Based on the gardeners’ feedback, we have launched a new program: Everybody is encouraged to take one seedling with them, every time they go into the fields. They are encouraged to plant the seedlings as close to the water as possible, ideally along the stream. One seedling a day is not much of a burden, but since people go to the field almost every day, it adds up. At the same time, we hope that this will revitalize the riparian zone lined with trees.