 | Commit
Get your group pumped up and ready to plant some trees! Ensure that enough group members commit to helping maintain each tree over several months as it becomes established and acclimated to its new space. Why plant trees?
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 | Make Sure You Have the Necessary Resources
Learn as much as you can about native tree species in your community and how to plant and maintain the trees once you’ve acquired them. Check out the National Arbor Day Foundation's resources.
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 | Find the Right Planting Site
Make sure you are allowed to plant trees in your proposed area. Good planting locations may include your school, a local park or a group member’s yard. If necessary, get a permit from the local government (city or county) or ask the owner of the property.
You can search your local Parks and Recreation Department over the Internet and then call or email them about your proposed tree planting. The local Parks and Recreation maintenance staff might even be willing to help select and prepare an appropriate spot.
Make sure that your planting site is suitable for the native species of trees you choose. Consider how much water the trees will need–is there a nearby source? Once you have decided on the location and number of trees your group will plant in this area, move to step four. Check out this helpful guide about where to plant your trees.
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 | Collect Tree Sponsorships
Learn how to collect tree sponsorships.
Use the tree sponsorship sheet and flyer to collect sponsorships of approximately $15 per tree. Collect as many sponsorships for your trees as possible and remember that one tree can be sponsored multiple times. This is a crucial part of the process as this will generate the money needed to create the five new tree nurseries for Roots & Shoots Tanzania. Each group member should request Tree Planting Sponsorships from friends, family and local businesses.
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 | Determine Planting Date
Make sure it’s a day when most of your members are available. Remember you can plant trees as long as the ground has not been frozen recently. Visit the National Arbor Foundation, for more information.
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 | Obtain Trees and Materials
You’ll need the number of trees your groups has collected pledges for, mulch, stakes, tools (shovel or spade), nonabrasive ties and water.
Search for the local forester and tree organizations in your community. Local organizations will know what native trees grow best in your community and should be able to provide insightful information specific to your region. Call or email the contact persons in your area and tell them about the campaign you are working on. Ask for suggestions on how to obtain trees for free or at a discounted rate. Ask them, “Do you give away trees for youth to plant?” If they say no, ask, “Do you know of another contact that could supply trees (forestry agencies, university forestry schools, tree foundations, tree organizations or local nurseries)?” Make sure to emphasize that you would like to plant native tree species.
If that doesn’t work, you may order trees from the National Arbor Day Foundationat a low cost.
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 | Prepare Site
Make sure there are no underground utilities (water, sewage or electric lines) and check that the trees will not hit power lines or other obstacles as they grow. Make sure you’re digging in the right spot.
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 | Plant Trees
Involve your entire group! Check out these tree planting tips from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
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 | Keep Us Posted
Submit a Project Report telling us how many trees you’ve planted. Take photos and send them to us so we can tell your story to the world.
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 | Take Care of the Trees
For the first several months after your planting, be sure each tree is getting enough water (remember that many schools don’t water their plants during the summer, so make sure someone is checking on your trees). Watch that any stakes stay in place and that any nonabrasive ties are snug, but not tight, around the tree.
You may want to plan on having regular group meetings at your tree planting site or assign specific group members to “tree care duty.” Being on tree duty only requires a couple of people checking up on the trees every other week for a few months. This campaign is about more than just planting trees; it’s about ensuring that the trees grow to maturity.
Need advice from the National Arbor Day Foundation on how to ensure that your trees will live for a long time?
You may also view a tree-planting video.
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 | Observe your Trees Long Term
After your trees become established, take new club members to visit the site and to check out the growth of the trees. Observe your trees for any signs of animal life — both big and small. You will find that the native trees you plant serve as crucial habitat for wildlife, even in urban settings. |
