Growing Trees-The Journey of a Thousand Miles

A journey of a thousand miles starts with just a step; so does tree growing. It is an intricate process that challenges many tree growers to an extent of throwing in the towel. Assuming that trees just grow after planting lowers survival rate a greatly. Just like other plants or agricultural crops, trees require proper aftercare.

Before planting the trees, it is paramount to ensure the site matches well with the species available for proper adaptation. Also, the site ought to have reliable water and be protected (fenced) to ensure trees growth will not be interfered with by children or even stray animals. Planting during the rainy seasons brings out the best growth as soil mosture content is usually high to sustain growth; Mulching comes in handy in the dry areas with little rainfall.

Our seven-year-old, environmental organization, Dedan Kimathi Foundation has squarely mastered the art of growing trees; partnering with learning institutions has been an efficient strategy behind the many success stories in most public schools we have grown trees countrywide. Pupils and students water the trees, apply mulching, add manure, protect their trees and cultivate under them to ensure the trees have proper aeration, nutrients and drainage.

On Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024, a section of our environmental team conducted Progress Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) exercise in Kimathi primary, Kinangop Technical and Vocational Training College, and Githinji primary school. The trees being grown in the schools have done well registering a 90%+ survival rate in all the three institutions. The less than 10% loss has been due to flooding of some areas, livestock destruction or lack of sufficient continuous watering when the rains are out.

As the short rains begin, DKF is in high voltage site identification, preparation and seedlings distribution of 8,000 assorted Indigenous, fodder and fruit trees in a select number of schools in South Kinangop ;Nyandarua County. The trees are a donation of CKL Africa Eco Care Program. It is a fraction of the 50,000 tree seedlings the company donates to our foundation annually as contained in our framework of Collaboration with them.

In yesterday’s exercise, the team saw the need to do beating up exercise in the beneficiary schools to replace the lost seedlings. As well, the team identified new growing sites to be planted early next week to take maximum advantage of the October-November rains. Githinji Secondary and Magumu High school being our newest partners.

As we make our hands dirty by planting trees in support of the presidential 15 billion tree growing plan, it is important to lay down proper aftercare strategies to ensure sustainable growth of the trees we plant at full glare of the cameras but rarely revisit to water, weed or check growth progress.

Planting a tree is easy; growing it is sweat-breaking. Dedan Kimathi Foundation grows trees, so can you!