Planting the next generation of oak trees at this time of year

Abstract

The paucity of mature tree cover on the Maltese Islands, as well as the onslaught spared to mature trees in public places, are sacrosanct truths known to all. Official statistics recount that roughly 1% of the islands are colonized by woodland (the EU average is 35%), of which just a few vestiges or remnants are actually natural or original woodland (i.e. not planted by man), restricted to locations such as il-Bosk in Buskett, l-Imgiebah in Mellieha, Wardija and Ta’Baldu in Dingli, which feature venerable holm oak and Aleppo pine individuals which are hundreds of years old. Afforestation schemes have also been ratcheted up in recent years, contributing to considerable surges in the land cover dominated by woodland, but these depend on a catalyst which, in most cases, is government or a private company. We have become so ensconced in our urban humdrum that we scarcely realize that indigenous trees can be even sown by individuals having little green acumen or garden space, at the drop of a hat. In fact, seemingly coincidental with Arbor Day (International Tree Day), due to be commemorated locally on the 16 th of January, acorns of the holm oak (Balluta) mature at this time of the year and these can easily be planted in compost, germinating into saplings sometime in spring. Holm oaks are a slow-growing species, with the Maltese Islands marking almost the southernmost extent of their range in the Mediterranean region, such that they can easily reside in sizeable pots until they are five years old, after which they would need transplanting to an open-soil location, which might include a public garden in your own locality if one lacks an appropriate location at home. The relative ease with which holm oaks can be propagated makes them an ideal candidate to inseminate tree nurseries within schools. One way through which we can ensure that the spirit of Arbor Day truly lives on is by instilling a love for trees in the young ones….sowing the next generation of oak trees is one way of doing this.