We planted 1,000 (!!!) trees

On Thursday, 14 November, we did something very special together. The PLANT-MY-TREE® initiative took us to the Ratinger Forest, where we planted 1,000 trees in record time. But let’s start at the beginning.

15 colleagues braved the wind and weather, wearing warm clothes and shoes that could withstand mud and rain, and met at a hiking car park in Ratingen Breitscheidt. After a short walk of about 1 km, we reached our destination and found a clearing where the PLANT-MY-TREE team was already waiting for us.

We were given gloves and spades and were ready to get to work and give oaks, spruces and Douglas firs a new home. Before that, there was a short briefing by the professionals, who made us laugh a lot with their advice on the correct planting technique, ‘the green part up’.

We were also surprised at how exhausting digging the holes can be. We were therefore very grateful that the Plant-My-Tree team were there to give us a hand. After two hours, we had earned our lunch break! Delicious chilli – with or without meat – was waiting for us, along with a glass of hot tea to warm us up.

It was great that the weather gods didn’t let us down, so we could eat lunch together outside and chat. There were colleagues from very different departments, so you could also speak with those you might rarely see or speak to in your daily work. In terms of team building, it was definitely terrific! 😊

At the beginning, we couldn’t believe that we would actually plant 1,000 trees in the planned four hours, but we were quickly proven wrong. The day’s work was completed almost an hour earlier than planned, and we were able to pat ourselves on the back. Actually, you are supposed to plant ONE tree in your life. In any case, we have significantly exceeded that.

At this point, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the PLANT-MY-TREE team and everyone who rolled up their sleeves to help our environment – a great joint effort. One thing is already clear to us: in a few years, when the saplings have had some time to grow, we want to take a group walk to Ratinger Forest and see how ‘our’ trees are doing. We are already looking forward to it!