How to Plant Trees for a Wedding Ceremony
Planting a wedding tree during your ceremony is an old tradition that some environmentally conscious couples are bringing back to life. Countries like Indonesia are even making tree planting a requirement for engaged couples as a way to battle deforestation. Planting a tree during your ceremony not only helps the environment, but it also becomes a symbol of the marriage bond. How you plant your tree is important, because if your tree is planted correctly, it can grow twice as fast and live twice as long as a tree planted in the wrong location.
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Instructions
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Selecting and Purchasing the Tree
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Select the area where you want to plant the seedling. You will need a bare, 3-foot square spot to start that is not close to other tall trees or brush.
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Overhead utility lines can hinder a tree's growth. Check the area to make sure there is enough room above and below the ground for the tree to grow and get sunlight. Call local utility companies, such as the electrical and gas companies, to make sure there are no overhead wires or underground pipes in the area.
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Select the kind of seedling you want to plant. Check the specific requirements of that species, such as the amount of sunshine and precipitation it needs, and make sure it matches the area where you will plant it.
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Purchase the seedling from a nursery. Keep it in a cool, protected place until the day of the wedding ceremony.
Planting the Seedling
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Prepare the hole for the seedling before the ceremony. Clear any brush or debris away from the space, and dig a hole deep enough for the roots to fully extend. Place the shovel into the ground at a 45-degree angle from where you want to plant the seedling, then push upright.
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At the appointed point in the ceremony, read the ceremonial tree planting speech. This speech should explain why you are planting the tree and what it represents in the wedding ceremony.
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Place the upright seedling into the hole you have already prepared. Hold the seedling upright. Put the shovel into the ground 3 inches away. Pull the shovel away from the seedling to push dirt toward the roots.
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Pull the shovel handle toward the seedling to close the hole at the top. Tamp the dirt down with your hands or feet. Push excess dirt around the base of the seedling to create a small buildup of dirt around the trunk of the seedling.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't plant seedlings if there is frost on the ground or if it is too hot. The best time to plant a seedling is on a cool, cloudy day.
When you place your seedling in the ground, pack the dirt tightly to prevent air pockets from forming around the roots.
References
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