Planting trees and flowers: 

• Improves biodiversity, encouraging the return of important wildlife from insects up to larger mammals and birds.
• Retains and improves the quality of soils, scrubs CO2 out of the atmosphere, creates clean air and reduces pollution.  One tree can filter up to 60 pounds of pollutants from the air each year!
• Improves the beauty and value of property and communities, providing shade and tranquil spaces, drawing you back into the outdoors.
• Provides shade for your house in the summer and insulation in the winter, lowering cooling and heating costs.
• Provides people with the chance to get outside and work hands on with nature, learning, improving physical health and well being.  Gardening and forestry can be enjoyed by people of all ages and leaves a lasting legacy on property and neighbourhoods.

When planting trees and flowers it is important to choose the right species and use the appropriate practices. General points to observe: 

• Choose plants native to your home and plant a good variety rather than a single species.
• As well as planting trees for habitat and wild food, plant trees for human food:  apples, pears, plums, avocadoes or oranges and nut trees allow people to eat locally, healthfully and seasonally without over dependence on super markets.
• Plant trees in the right places using permaculture and sustainable forestry techniques so that they are properly spaced, get enough sun and water, work with the landscape and are safe for structures and people.
• When planting flowers, it is best to go for natives that discourage pests and encourage bee activity.  Bees are nature’s pollinators, helping many plants to fruit and flower.  We have lost many bees in recent decades and they are critical to ecological communities and our food supply.  Give them a hand!