A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN (People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service) ISSN 1394-5726

Online Publisher:          Contents provided by:	TREES: How to plant and maintain them An estimated 250,000 trees of various types would have been planted in house compounds throughout Sarawak come the year 2000 - that would make it roughly about 70,000 trees per year. The office of the State Secretary in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Public Health will spearhead a nationwide campaign of tree-planting for Sarawak in the hope of nurturng an attitude of caring for the environment and beautifying the state. YBhg. Datu Dr. Hatta Solhee, the Deputy State Secretary for Development Administration and Public Affairs have called on all house owners in the state to extend a helping hand to the government in its effort to develop a sense of love and caring for the development. Few people know how to plant a tree in the proper manner so as to grow them successfully. Questions commonlyasked are how, when where to plant trees. Unlike fruits, vegetables and other ornamental plants, trees are often planted in odd places like car parks and along footpaths which are not very suitable for plant growth as the top surface is often tarred or covered with concrete slabs so that the trees often suffer from inadequate aeration and water. Under such a condition, special care must be taken to plant the trees.     The general rule to follow when planting a tree     Prepare a planting hole of a metre square and a metre deep.     The soil should be well cultivated and organic manure incorporated into the soil and well mixed.     In the planting hole, excavate or remove soil in the middle to fit the new seedling or cutting in a polythene bag.     A seedling or a newly marcotted plant in a plastic bag is first split open and placed carefully in the centre of the planting hole, then the hole is filled with soil which is pressed firmly around the newly planted tree.     If the stem is weak, a stake is necessary. Tie the stem to the stake for support and also to train the plant for upright growth.     After planting, water the plant sufficiently well and place some dead leaves around the base of the plant to prevent moisture loss and weed  growth.     A tree requires food, therefore fertiliser has to be provided twice or three times a year. The fertiliser has to be well integrated with the soil by   ranking the soil under the canopy of the tree.     Weeds around the tree have to be removed to keep its beautiful appearance. Planting trees along footpath Where trees are planned along footpaths, pavements or car park, ensure that the tree hole has sufficient space for aeration and water. There should be an area around the main trunk of the trees for paying. Kerbs with adequate openings for excess water to run off and strong enough to guard the trees from being hit by vehicles are necessary. The unpaved area around the main trunk can either be turfed, ground covers can be grown , or an organic mulch of dead leaves and barks be provided. Maintenance of Trees A newly planted tree has to be given special care especially in a concrete jungle where it is hotter and drier than in the garden or natural forest. It has to be watered daily with care not just with a sprinkle of water here and there but with sufficient water to soak through the soil. Once it is firmly rooted, regular watering is not necessary. For flowering and fruiting trees, regular pruning is recommended. To encourage free and abundant fruiting and flowering, the branches have to be pruned to induce new growth of shoots, flowers and subsequently fruits.    Source: Malaysian Trees in Colour by H F Chin & I C Enoch
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