Plant a Tree on October 8

Members of the public are being invited to plant a tree on October 8, which is being observed as National Tree Planting Day.
Conservator of Forests, Marilyn Headley, said that some 45 organisations, schools, and individuals across the island were expected to participate in the event, which is being held in celebration of National Wood and Water Day.
A number of government agencies are expected to support the move including the Jamaica Information Service, which will be replanting its hedge along Half-Way Tree Road, which was dug up to facilitate expansion of the roadway.
Mrs. Headley informed that between 10,000 and 12,000 seedlings were being made available for persons to plant on that particular day. A number of foresters will be on hand to provide technical assistance.
National Tree Planting Day will be officially launched at King’s House on October 6 at 10:00 a.m. and Governor General, His Excellency the Most. Hon. Sir Howard Cooke will make a proclamation.
Also, a dedication ceremony is to be held at the Jessie Ripoll Primary School in Kingston as well as other locations around the island.
Persons who wish to participate may make arrangements with the department by contacting Donna Lowe or Gloria Perry at 924-2667-8.
Meanwhile, Miss Headley said, the department was advocating the management and maintenance of urban trees, including park trees, in towns such as Kingston, May Pen, Montego Bay and Mandeville.
“We have been encouraging people to plant and persons have been planting trees, but we have to get to the stage now where we trim those trees, prune them, know where to plant them, which species we plant and how we plant, so that we have the trees not as damaged as how we saw them after the hurricane. A lot of that (hurricane) damage was due to the fact that the trees just weren’t maintained,” she stated.