Plant a tree and make a difference
It is that time of the year to grab a shovel and plant a tree for Arbor Week
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/09/parsley-tree.jpg)
The theme for this year is “Forests and People: Investing in a Sustainable Future”.
National Arbor Week, which is celebrated from September 1 to 7, intends to:
* Raise awareness of South Africa’s urban and rural greening initiatives.
* Promote a better understanding of trees, particularly indigenous trees and fruit trees.
* Highlight the important role that trees play in the sustainable development and livelihoods of people and their environment.
* Highlight the role of trees in creating employment, especially in rural areas.
* Highlight the role of fruit trees in addressing food security when integrated with other programmes.
* Encourage communities to participate in various greening activities within their own surroundings.
The 2015 trees of the year are the forest bushwillow (Combretum kraussii) and the parsley tree (Heteromorpha arborescens).