King’s Birthday Weekend – Perfect for a Planting

When covid lockdown struck, many of us had to forgo farewelling our loved ones through traditional celebrations of life such as tangi and funerals. However, there are many other reasons why, as family or friends, we do not have the opportunity to gather together to say formal farewells and honour those who have been important in our lives. Sometimes, it’s because family and friends live far away and cannot attend a funeral. Sometimes it’s because there are family rifts which prevent us coming together. There are also situations where the deceased has requested family not hold a formal service. In circumstances such as these, we inevitably promise ourselves, in the future, when the time is right, we will hold an official gathering to remember our loved one, and yet, it so seldom happens. Time passes, life gets busy, and nothing further is done. This is why King’s Birthday weekend can be the perfect time to honour the memory of a friend or family member – and to do so with a tree planting.

King Charles III, New Zealand/Aotearoa’s quirky, conservation- and sustainability-loving king is a tree planting advocate like no other. Using his considerable public platform to advocate for ‘greening our world,’ he would no doubt fully endorse our efforts to remember a loved one through planting a special tree. So, how can we make this happen? Let’s run through some possible steps (we’re assuming you have interest from family and friends in such an occasion, and you are the ‘project manager,’ so to speak):

Location

Before you do anything else, choose a site for your planting (this will help dictate the type of tree you will plant). To help you do this, think about your loved one’s connection to a special place. It may be a beach or a spot on a daily walking route they enjoyed. It could be their favourite holiday destination, a much-loved public park or garden, or a spot that affords a view which you know was dear to them. It may be a farm or conservation land they were once involved with.

Be aware if you wish to plant on public land or private land, you will first require formal, written permission to carry out the activity. If you are planting on private land, consider the merits of this as, in the future, others may wish to visit the site – will this be possible if the land no longer resides with the owner who gave their permission for the planting? Plantings on private land may also not enjoy protection – and there is nothing more distressing than having a memorial planting felled. Think too, about the proximity of the planting to water, at least until your tree is well-established (is water easily accessible, or are you prepared to carry it to the site?).

Lastly, if you wish to include a memorial plaque alongside the planting, request permission for this.

The tree

Your choice of tree is important, not only for its importance as a reminder of your loved one, but in order for it to thrive in the location you have selected. If you are planting on land belonging to another (whether public or private land), you may find the type of tree you plant will be dictated. However, if there is a choice, consider the relevance a particular tree will have to your loved one. Were they interested in trees that produce a food crop (such as fruit or nuts), did they support native plantings, or were they a lover of gardens who appreciate ornamental trees such as beeches or flowering cherries? Bear in mind the soil type and the weather conditions your planting site offers before making your final selection.

Invitations

Canvass friends and family as to the date for your tree planting, and choose a time which best suits the greatest number of people, or those to whom the planting will be most significant (including those who may be coming from abroad). Issue invitations (including an RSVP date) which include details of the kind of footwear and clothing required to reach your planting destination, and any after-planting gatherings such as a picnic at the site or a luncheon at an eatery or private home. Make any eatery bookings required. If you are arranging catering for the occasion, suggest a suitable koha (a voluntary gift or contribution, often given in appreciation), and provide bank account details for attendees to pay this into.

Formalities

Even if you are not normally a group of speech-makers, no occasion of the sort you are planning is complete without a few formal words. These come best from those who are prepared. Delegate one or two appropriate attendees to mark the occasion in this way. You may also feel it is right to ‘offer the floor’ to others who want to say a few words, but bear in mind the location before you do this as you don’t want people standing about in an exposed place (memories and tributes may be best saved to an after-planting gathering).

Gather your tools

Gather together all the tools you will need for the planting including spades and shovels, stakes, ties, fertiliser or compost, water, shelter-cloth, and a memorial plaque if this is appropriate.

This thorough preparation will ensure your tree planting goes smoothly, your loved one is honoured respectfully, and those who were close to them can revisit the memorial site. What better tribute can you make to one who was so dear to you.