A birthday comes only once a year and it is a special time of fun and enjoyment for all. If you are thinking of new and exciting ways of celebrating your next birthday, here is a fresh idea – plant a tree for your birthday. It is a unique and memorable way of celebrating your special day.
If your usual birthday is a cake and candle affair with the singing of “Happy Birthday,” the planting of a tree will be a departure from all that regular routine. We all know birthdays are a good excuse to eat lots of cake, so if you want, you can still have that chocolate cake, and throw a big party to mark the special day, but planting your favorite tree will add a cool touch and freshen up the event.
Start a new tradition
Every day is someone’s birthday whether you know them or not. Think of the number of people in the world that celebrate their birthdays on each day, and if a tree were to be planted on each occasion, it will be a fantastic way to help save the environment. It is sure to add some extra fun and freshness to the already popular list of birthday rituals like parties, picnics, and dinners.
You can spread the word and ask as many friends and family to adopt this practice to help make it the start of a growing trend. It fulfills a timely social need, leading us to a greener and cleaner world by helping to reduce our collective carbon footprint on the planet.
Environmental benefits
The planting of a tree can help the environment in so many ways. Trees improve the air quality in our atmosphere by helping to remove carbon dioxide and other gaseous pollutants. Trees also provide support to maintain cleaner waterways and minimize soil erosion on earth. They are pleasing to the eye and they offer good shade in the summer. Trees are a great way to make the environment a better place.
For not only your birthday, you can also plant a tree to celebrate a wedding anniversary, the birth of a child, a graduation ceremony, or any other special occasion. It can also be a unique and different approach to honoring the memory of a loved one. A remembrance tree will create a lasting, living memorial and will be a great healing experience for everyone involved.
Types of trees
If you are considering the idea of planting a tree on your next birthday, start by looking for a suitable tree variety. There are plenty to choose from– starting with fruit or flowering trees, shade trees, fast-growing trees, etc. Think carefully about the type of tree that will suit the garden spot you have chosen. Whether it is an evergreen tree or a fast-growing shade tree, the climate and space are important points to be aware of when making your choice. You will need to take into account the area size available, and the proximity to existing items on the land such as buildings, streets, etc.
Check your local tree nurseries and find out what type of native trees would suit your local climate. Nursery staff can assist you with choosing the right kind of tree seedlings or saplings and provide other information to ensure that your newly planted tree will survive and thrive.
Natural air conditioners
A large shade tree not only improves the appearance of your garden but can act as a natural air conditioner that brings relief from the summer heat. It can also help reduce indoor air cooling costs. If you are planning to have a flowerbed underneath the tree, it is better to choose one that casts light shade as the sunlight will need to filter through to the ground beneath.
A fast-growing shade tree will grow quickly and you will be able to see its progress sooner. By choosing a flower blooming, if you are lucky, you could be rewarded with a special surprise if the tree starts blooming every year closer to your birthday.
For those with plenty of outdoor space, it is much easier to plan the planting of a tree. There is no need to be disheartened though if you do not have suitable garden space. You can always consider joining a community tree-planting event.
Eco-friendly birthday party tips
In addition to planting a tree, there are many other ways to go green on your birthday.
- Organize to plant a vegetable patch or a flowerbed with your party guests. Send your birthday invitation with a packet of your favorite flower seeds, requesting friends to join the planting on your special day
- Ask invitees to contribute to a local tree-planting event instead of spending on gifts
- Use handmade recycled paper with dried, natural flowers and leaves on invitations. If buying readymade, look for cards made out of tree-free paper
- Try to be earth smart with your party supplies – plates, cutlery, napkins, etc.
- For kid’s birthdays, instead of using plastic goodie bags, use cloth bags made out of fabric to suit the party theme
- Encourage your birthday party guests to carpool
With a bit of research and planning, it is not difficult to have an earth-friendly, green birthday and make it an enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones. It will be your gift to the environment and you can be content in the knowledge that Mother Nature will be grateful.
Hope you have a fantastic, fun-filled birthday – in an eco-friendly way!
