Despite an endless succession of monsoon tree-planting campaigns, Pakistan still retains the abysmal claim to being the least forest-covered country on the planet. Given that billions of rupees have supposedly been invested in trees for a sustainable future, in the recent years alone, the scenario is disgusting.

The reasons for our ever-depleting forest cover are manifold: the timber industry and associated timber mafia, uncontrolled exploitation of firewood resources, population expansion, linked habitation and cultivation pressures all being extremely high on what could effectively be termed a ‘doomsday list’.

Pakistanis are far from being alone in scandalously overexploiting our increasingly precious trees, as many other countries are doing exactly the same.

But with Pakistan listed as one of the top 10 countries most at risk from climate change, it is high time that we took our trees seriously.

With the summer monsoon just weeks away, now is the perfect time to grow trees for a greener future

Many of us profess a love for trees and find ways and means of growing and planting as many as we possibly can, but sadly, we are vastly outnumbered by those who have absolutely no respect for trees at all.

With this summer promising to be a furnace like never before, nature is literally screaming at us to do something to save our environment whilst there is still a chance. We can at least initiate the necessary proceedings to ensure some kind of liveable climate for the generations yet to be born.

With the summer monsoon just a few weeks away, now is the prime time to do your bit towards the preservation of life on this earth.

Generally, planting trees is recommended in two periods of the year because of anticipated rainfall. These are the weeks of both the summer and winter monsoons, but as with most things related to growing and caring for living plants, there is preparation to do beforehand to allow the selected baby trees a fair chance to survive and thrive.

On a garden scale, (forests and orchards having different requirements) before planting even a single tree, there are a number of things to be considered.

1. The position of overhead cables in respect to the potential height and spread, at maturity, of the tree species you wish to grow. No point in planting a tree which doesn’t have the necessary space in which to reach its full potential. Select something smaller so that it doesn’t have to be pruned back to an unattractive stump each year.

2. The exact location of underground cables, water tanks, and both water and sewerage pipes. The height and width of a mature tree is reflected in the spread of its root system, which so many people tend to overlook. For example, a tree reaching a height of 50ft and a spread of 40-60ft, is liable to develop a root system of a similar size at least.

The roots provide the tree with essential food and water, while firmly balancing it, in the process. Fragile as some of them may appear, tree roots are incredibly strong and tenacious, slowly but forcibly penetrating whatever barriers they find in their path, and seeking out water sources. Tree roots penetrating water tanks and water pipes is a common, extremely difficult and an inordinately expensive problem to resolve.

3. Planting trees too close to building foundations, boundary walls, roads, driveways and footpaths is asking for trouble in the long run. We have all seen how tree roots can crack and lift footpaths and road surfaces where well-intentioned local authorities have planted trees for beautification but without considering the end results. Repeating their glaring mistakes should not be an option. Imagine the nightmarish scenario when tree roots penetrate building and wall foundations, when planted too close.

The recommended tree planting distances from such foundations vary according to tree species but a rough guide is that small trees, achieving a height of 20ft and a spread of 20-30ft, should be situated at least 30ft away from foundations; medium-sized trees, 20-40ft high with a spread up to 50ft, should be at least 50-60ft away; and tall trees, over 40ft and with spreads of up to 60ft and more, should be planted over 70ft away from foundations, to avoid damage permanently.

4. Trees need lots of bright daylight. Flowering and fruiting trees need far more direct sunlight than their non-flowering counterparts. An absolute minimum of six hours direct sunlight is required for a tree to be happy and healthy. Less than this and they are miserable specimens to behold. In the very near future, we will look at how to actually plant and care for trees.

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. The writer does not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 29th, 2022