EARTH ART STUDIO
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CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

JOIN US 

Trees for Life has a call for volunteers around the world to create their own tree circles wherever they are located.  

What is a tree circle?

As the title suggests, a tree circle is a group of trees, or similar flora, planted in a circle. A circle of trees contributes to the retention of water in the soil and to cleaning the air through natural systems. It also creates wide canopy areas that provide shade and reduce the impact of heat islands in urbanized areas.

Up to 83% of the water that falls on earth has been condensed directly from the atmosphere by trees. Planting trees can help create a dynamic system that helps in carbon capture and restoration of aquatic systems. Trees and forests act as huge condensing systems and capture water in the air. In the future we will have to ask ourselves not only "How much precipitation or heat does an area impact?" but "How much tree cover do we have around our living and working areas?"
Why a circle of trees?

A circle of trees is a visual metaphor for our planet. It represents the hope and aspiration to work together to preserve our planet through more active plantations.

As more circles are planted around the world we are also creating new ways to see and experience those trees: not just from the ground, but from the air. These circles will appear in the landscape as works of natural and observable art in Google Earth. So no matter where we are in the world, this simple gesture of planting tree circles will be visible to anyone with internet access. Everyone can feel connected by this local and global action.

WHERE CAN I PLANT
A TREE CIRCLE?

The tree circle is a very simple form that can be easily mapped onto the ground and planted (see below for instructions).
 
A tree circle does not need to be very wide – it is a visual shape on the landscape that can be seen locally or from the air. Depending on the size it can be seen by Earth satellites
 
 
Tree or shrub circles can be planted in your own backyards. As citizens we can use our private spaces such as gardens to be examples of what can be done. From schools to industrial parks – these can be places where tree circles can be placed offering further shelter, and cooling spots in the summer.
 
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Those working in forestry in areas that are being replanted ~ a tree circle can be subtle and composed of evergreen and deciduous trees to make a real visual statement seen in the Autumn but not necessarily experienced directly in the forest.
 
As citizens we can make our homes into places for proactive climate solutions as well as ask that our local governments, schools, private sector and others consider adding tree circles as part of their landscape plans.

​We can work globally with other communities to illustrate a new resilience of nature in our own backyards.  There are overall benefits, too!   The benefits from tree planting have year-round impact. They offer places of shade and shelter and cooling in the summer. They offer support to biodiversity and pollinators.  The health of the living world is our health after all, too.

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HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE & MAKE MY OWN TREE CIRCLE?

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CREATING A TREE CIRCLE

The image (above) shows you how a circle can be simply plotted on the land.  A circle of any diameter is welcomed and will depend on what you would like to plant.
 
To accomplish a successful tree circle, follow these steps:

 
Step 1 ) prepare the ground and clear any rocky or unwanted soil, weeds, etc. (1a) Place your peg in the middle of the clearing and attach an amount of string to it. This should be the equivalent to half the diameter of the circle that you’d like to fill.For example, a 10 meter diameter circle will need at least 5 meter of string attached to the peg  (1b). Important to remember to cut the string several inches longer than you want at first since you'll lose some of the length when you tie a loop around the peg! So a 10 meter diameter circle will need a 5 meter string, plus 10 centimeters extra for tying around the peg.
1c) Standing upright and holding the string walk around the peg. Keep the string straight and not loose.  To mark the ground with the circle, drag a spade or your shoe into the soil. If the soil is firm, you can kneel down and place pegs or chalk as you complete the circle around the peg.
 
Step 2) Check that your circle outline is well defined.  (2b)Place your plants around the circle form (2c) adjust where the trees/saplings/shrubs are located in the circle.  Think about how the trees or shrubs will grow and how much space they need between them in order to thrive. Remember broader trees with canopy will need at least 2 meter or more distance between them and especially those with larger root systems.  Smaller trees/shrubs can tolerate being planted more closely.   
If you are unsure about what trees to plant, ask someone who is an expert in growing trees, or check trusted online resources. 
You can also consider keeping smaller trees or saplings in buckets or planter boxes and see how they grow before planting them around the circle.  
 
Step 3) Once you have planted your tree circle, you can send an image and location information to the Trees for Life project team at bordadonnellycop26@gmail.com.  A member of the team will add your tree circle to the project’s climate artwork inventory and post it to this website.  Within 6 months, the team will send you an earth satellite image of your planting, too!
 
Step 4) Please spread the word about this project. Use this webpage and encourage others in your community and networks to be part of a plant graffiti climate art world project.
 
Let’s work together to spur communities to undertake their own ‘tree circle’ projects and to help the planet.   It’s all possible right in our own backyards!
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Example of public TREE CIRCLE planting done by City planners, Dundee City Council, Scotland


IN THE NEWS
Milan City (Italy) has committed to plant three million trees by 2030 and to use nature-based solutions to increase resilience and protect citizens from the climate crisis. Their first planting “Tree Library” has utllized the principles of TREE CIRCLES to refresh neighbourhoods (though not associated with this project) with green circle canopies in order to regenerate the urban environment in a sustainable manner. See this page for the full story and 'Tree circle' pictures 3 million trees and roof-top gardens: European cities make green pledge to improve civic eco-systems
https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/07/13/3-million-trees-and-roof-top-gardens-european-cities-in-green-pledge

Who’s behind the project?
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​Trees for Life project has been supported by the British Council’s Creative Commissions 2021 programme.
This was a series of creative commissions exploring climate change through art, science and digital technology for presentation at COP26.


Trees for Life continues (2021 - present) as an active artists-community collaboration and illustrates that land rehabilitation doesn’t need to be expensive. We understand the benefit of trees to the land and that people can assist in creating better soils and future-proofing sites from climate issues by planting trees.

Trees for Life also highlights that sustainability is dependent on the motivation and generosity of citizens, communities, artists, and scientists working together to redefine the challenges of climate change and to foster the next generation with the idea that we can make an impact through climate art and other creative approaches.

Tree Circles and Trees for Life project are co-led by climate design and media artists, Sylvia Grace Borda (Canada) and J.Keith Donnelly (UK) together with partners Ethiopia (ROBA – Rural Organisation for the Betterment of Agro-Pastoralists ) in the UK (Dundee UNESCO City of Design, Dundee City Council, Scotland),  and Canada (Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, Kwantlen Polytechnic University) to creatively respond to global issues of climate change.  
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  • Home
  • Trees for Life
    • The Project
    • Creating Living Artworks
    • Satellite Images
    • Tree Nursery
    • Field Notes from ROBA
    • Youth reflections
    • Climate reflections
    • Elder Knowledge
    • Acknowledging Indigenous Rights
    • Oromo tree circle
    • The Lion
    • Adopt a Tree
    • Celebrations
    • What's Next
    • Symposium
  • TREE CIRCLES
    • Plant Graffiti
    • TREE CIRCLES
    • Contributors
    • Venice Biennale
  • Internet of Nature
    • Internet of Nature
    • COP26
    • City of Dundee
  • Exhibition kits
    • Exhibition kits
    • Resources
    • Tree stories making the news
  • About Us