Less space set aside for Arbor Day tree planting

The Shanghai Forestry Bureau has cut the area available for residents to plant trees during this year's Arbor Day, which will take place Wednesday, a parks official said at a press conference Monday.

The forestry authority has set aside 122,049 square meters in the city for planting trees, down from the 311,000 square meters reserved last year, said Li Li, director of the parks department of the Shanghai Forestry Bureau.

"The area suitable for planting trees in a big city like Shanghai is limited," Li said.

However, the authority has nearly doubled the number of sites across the city where residents can plant trees from about 20 last year to 43 this year.

Residents can also adopt trees at 126 public green spaces across the city, the authority said.

The price of adopting a tree starts at 30 yuan ($4.89), and goes up based on the tree's age, size and species, according to the authority's tree adoption regulations from 2009. Residents who adopt a tree will be able to keep a tag with their name on it tied around the tree for a month.

Residents are welcome to visit their trees, which will be cared for by city workers. "We don't suggest residents care for the trees themselves because they might live too far away and may not know enough about how to care for them," Li told the Global Times.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 residents have adopted trees this year, the authority said. About 500 local companies have donated money to help maintain the city's green space.

The authority is also encouraging residents to grow flowers and plants on their window sills and balconies.

"We would like every resident to participate by planting trees and growing flowers at their homes," Li said. "Every resident should make an effort to improve the city's environment."