- While the preservation of large trees in the city to maintain islands of freshness is the subject of a consensus, as is the planting of new trees in all urban development projects and even the creation of micro-forests, the opportunities to contribute to a reconnection with nature are multiplying in these times of climate change and erosion of biodiversity. Provoking opportunities to plant trees rely on good intentions. Why and for what events does planting a tree make sense?
What is the origin of tree planting during birth?
The tree is a symbol of life, of growth, of strength, of rebirth each spring, of longevity, it is a long-term commitment. This is enough to understand the simple, direct, and promising companionship that the tree weaves with a new human being. Moreover, historically, many symbolic parallels confirm this:
in Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the world tree embodying the universe,
among the Celts, the tree of life creates the link between heaven and earth, between the divine soul and the earthly soul, and the interconnection between all life on Earth; concerning Celtic astrology inspired by trees, it remains controversial;
in ancient Egypt, it was from the Tree of Life that the first couple, Isis and Osiris, appeared,
among Christians, in the Garden of Eden, two trees faced each other “There was […] the tree of life in the middle of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis). The tree of life symbolizes life, the link between God the creator and men, while the tree of good and evil constitutes a threat to those who will eat its fruits, a source of dangerous and forbidden knowledge;
for Buddhists, the fig tree is a sacred tree dedicated to the three gods Brahmâ, Shiva, and Vishnu. It is the object of a fertility cult while sheltering the soul of the deceased;
in Judaism, God is represented by the model of the world, the tree of the ten Sefirot, at the origin of the creation of the world by God.
An entire book could be devoted to the symbolism of the tree! It is therefore easy to understand why the tree, a symbol of life par excellence, embodies a rich hope at the time of the birth of a child.
Today, many local authorities propose the planting of a tree on the occasion of each birth on their territory, whether it is moreover a fruit tree or an ornamental tree: according to the local tree project, the plantations are intended to create hedges, groves, orchards, micro-forests, agroforestry systems, etc. Otherwise, structures also offer the adoption or sponsorship of trees as part of tree planting or reforestation programs.
Tree species to plant for a birth
Whatever the species of tree chosen and the date of birth, two principles must be observed to promote the good recovery of the young tree:
opt for local species, endemic to your territory: avoid the olive tree in the North, just like the chestnut tree in the South;
wait until autumn to plant because, as the saying goes “to Saint Catherine, all wood takes root”, i.e. on November 25.
Note that the watering of young shrubs during periods of water restriction is still authorized for subjects less than a year old, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., when the territory is subject to the “alert” level which prohibits the irrigation of green spaces.
Some trees embody more than others, in the eyes of parents, the values they want to put forward. Here are the most iconic birth charts.
The oak, a symbol of power
The oak (Quercus) is a slow-growing tree that can live for hundreds of years. It is deeply rooted and, by the strength it deploys, often embodies virility. Its resistance to the test of time also suggests resilience. The different species of oak make it possible to select the one that will be adapted to the climatic zone of the plantation.
The olive tree, a symbol of peace
The olive tree (Olea europea) remains linked to the image of the dove released from Noah’s ark which brings back an olive branch, announcing the end of the flood and the wrath of God. To wish for a world that knows more peace than war is a great ambition.
Ginkgo biloba, a symbol of longevity
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), as a relic tree dating back to the Jurassic, is a living fossil, not to mention that it withstood the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. The longevity and eternity it conveys correspond to what we want for every newborn. In autumn, with its yellow leaves that fall to the ground like a carpet of gold coins, the symbol of prosperity has been added to it: if money does not bring happiness, it does contribute a little…
The apple tree, a symbol of fertility
The apple tree (Malus) and above all the apple, recall the fruit of sin which drew Adam into the arms of Eve, in Christian culture, but it is also the image of fertility in the Song of Songs, therefore both the fruit of the tree of Life, and fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Desire, youth, fertility…so many avenues for a baby’s future.
Any tree can be planted at the birth of a child who will become its godfather, and will be able to draw many lessons from this journey: in addition to respect for the plant world, the child will understand how plants – trees, and plants – give us permanent lessons on the resilience and the richness of diversity, on the very way of forming a more just and fulfilled society…
