“I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree,” goes the famous poem, Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.

In today’s landscape, with climate change hanging thick in the air, a tree is more than just lovely, it is precious. The value of a tree is well-known and its functions are many: its branches, leaves and trunk provide shade, food ingredients, and material for shelter, while its roots prevent soil erosion to hold back floods and landslides.

Through the years, there had been many tree planting programs initiated by government and private organizations to keep forests populated with trees. The programs continue until today and it is not unusual for private groups to hold tree planting activities to commemorate special days in their personal or corporate calendars.

Last week, almost unnoticed, the House of Representatives approved a “bill that will require a Tree Planting Plan (TPP) from all applicants of building permits for residential, commercial, industrial, and public building development projects in a bid to help mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.”

Known as House Bill (HB) No. 8569, it will require any person or entity who will construct a structure to have a tree planting plan.  The bill also specifies the species to be planted –indigenous tree varieties that can grow well in specific locations.  For residential lots, endemic ornamental plants or fruit-bearing trees will be recommended.

"In requiring a Tree Planting Plan to secure building permits, we aim to enhance environmental quality, mitigate the effects of climate change and preserve the environment for present and future generations,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said after the bill was passed with 266 affirmative votes, with no negative vote nor abstention, during plenary session on Aug. 9.

He said that “under the bill, any person, firm, corporation, department, office, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government intending to construct, alter, repair or convert any building or structure, is required to set aside, and properly maintain in said property, areas adequate for planting and maintaining trees and flora."

Setting aside a piece of property for the trees should not be the only requirement for the TPP.  It will also need a person to nurture them until their branches, leaves and trunks will be strong enough to survive the elements.  Many tree planting programs in the past did not prosper because of the absence of a caretaker.

This bill which is expected to become a law soon is not the only one dedicated to populate our forests and urban landscapes with trees.  A few years ago, a local government unit passed an ordinance requiring applicants for a marriage license to plant a tree.  That ordinance was happily followed by couples who found the requirement a significant activity that marked the beginning of their lives together. 

There is one more reason why trees are important.  In the eighties, the concept of “forest bathing” was introduced in Japan and the health effects of nature, particularly trees, was the subject of scientific studies.  The many who have found walks in the forest and time with trees calming and healing know the importance of trees in the lives of humans. 

Those of us who are aware of the tree’s value in our environment should make it our aim to do more to propagate trees. One, to plant at least one tree a year, perhaps on one’s birthday. Two, if you have time, go further: volunteer to be a tree caretaker for your neighborhood.