Thousands of people from all sectors of the Israeli population took part in Tu Bishvat tree planting events all over the country in January and February, connecting to the country, the earth and nature. One of the events was a festive two-day tree planting event in Biriya Forest attended by two thousand people.
“It has been many years since I have missed a single tree planting day,” said Viki Alkabetz from Tzfat. “It’s very important that tree planting continues in every generation, so that people will have trees to enjoy in the future.”
The main KKL-JNF tree planting event in northern Israel was a two-day event in Biriya Forest, where trees were planted by two thousand people, including schoolchildren, teenagers, soldiers, new immigrants and other Israeli citizens. The stormy weather required postponement of the event, which took place several days after Tu Bishvat, on January 31st and February 1st.
“Thanks to us, these trees will grow,” said fourteen-year-old Ariel Arshansky, as he planted the sapling. “This is how we’re preserving the tradition, the land and the earth, for future generations. Besides, it’s a great experience in nature, with this landscape.”
The numerous children who arrived from schools in northern Israel had learned a lot about the environment and were able to explain what trees contribute. “They provide us with oxygen and shade, they give us fruit, and they make the world more beautiful,” said eight-year-old Ido Daoudi from Hatzor Haglilit. “It’s fun to plant trees, and today we’re proving that children can help take care of the world.”
The work was organized by KKL-JNF foresters, who explained how to plant the tree and directed the people to the pits that had been prepared for the saplings. The team was headed by Aviram Zuk, KKL-JNF Upper Galilee and Golan Heights Regional Director, who said, “This is a wonderful Tu Bishvat celebration, where the public is helping us make the region more beautiful and also getting to know and love the forest.”
Zuk pointed out that the location selected for the tree planting was in an area that had been damaged a few years ago by a snowstorm, where many of the trees had collapsed. “We are planting cedars today, Lebanon cedar and Atlas cedar, which don’t get damaged by snow, because the snow slides off their foliage,” said Zuk. “The climate and the soil in the area are suitable for cedars, which have come to symbolize Biriya Forest.”
Liori Azarzar, an eight-year-old from Hatzor Haglilit, who had come to plant trees with her classmates, said, “It’s a good feeling to know we’re helping renew the forest that was harmed.”
Biriya Forest covers an area of twenty thousand dunams in the Upper Galilee. The forest started being planted in the 1950s, mainly with pines, and KKL-JNF has continued ever since to plant trees and diversify the forest with different species such as cedar, cypress and pistachio. KKL-JNF has also constructed scenic lookouts in the forest, as well as scenic roads, footpaths and cycling trails for the benefit of the numerous people who visit the forest throughout the year, not only on Tu Bishvat.
Arieh Rachelson, originally from Toronto, Canada, who immigrated to Israel a few years ago, said, “This is the first time I have had the privilege if planting a tree in the land of Israel, and it’s a wonderful feeling.”
It was also great experience for Rosa Buchnik from Hazon, who said, “Trees add life, and I wish I could plant a tree every day.”
There were many soldiers among the tree planters. After all, tree planting plays a role in protecting the land. Ariel, a young military officer, was examining the trees in the forest with great interest, enjoying the fair weather and recalling the snow that had covered everything only a few days earlier. “On a sunny day like today,” he said, “the forest looks very different than in the snow.” Another soldier was looking at her hands and trying to decide whether or not she should touch the soil and get them dirty. “What we won’t do for nature,” she concluded with a smile, as she got down to cover the roots.
The forest site was full of newly dug pits in the morning, with KKL-JNF flags fluttering in the wind to indicate the points designated for planting. Two hours later, hundreds of saplings had already been planted there. “Grow and make Israel proud!” said Tamar Elmakias from Kiryat Shmona to her sapling.
Shalom Idelman from Bat Yam finished planting, noted the exact location of his sapling and promised to come back soon to make sure it was growing. “I always gave money for planting trees,” he said, “but there’s nothing like taking part in the actual planting."