Why Not Plant an Oak?

Image from Pasja 1000 on Pixabay

Mmm… how depressed do you feel about the state of the world?

Most of us seem to be a bit stuck with how we can make changes. Recycling seems a bit like fiddling while Rome burns… like I have been given a task to do to pass the time rather than make a huge difference.

I am not saying there is no point in recycling, just that it’s not going far enough in my desire to help the planet a bit.

A friend said recently that we humans are the vermin and until we are wiped out, the planet doesn’t have a chance. Harsh? Maybe… but you only have to look around at how nature seems to spring back to life when humans step out of the picture.

So when I came across the growing movement to gather up acorns and plant them in locations where they have a chance to thrive, I felt a little buzz.

I had thought the same of flower bulbs because I love to see the daffodils in early spring… all of that yellow promising that the world isn’t done yet. While I appreciate that there are environmental issues with the bulbs which mostly have not been grown locally and do not necessarily belong here, acorns can be collected from beneath the ancient oaks of our immediate location.

So, how about gathering some  acorns and planting  them in places where they are unlikely to be cut down? The bit of reading I have done on the subject suggests  collecting acorns from the oldest oak that you can find as they will be more suited to your area.

The little acorn you plant will hopefully be around for hundreds of years.

Nice idea, don’t you think?