What you need for a birth forest planting

A birth forest planting needs more than trees and shovels. You will also need supports for young trees, materials for marking beds and labels, safety equipment, and a practical setup for refreshments. Buy or borrow items according to the number of trees and participants, then add a small buffer for breakages, late registrations and extra drinks. Check delivery timing before the planting day, because trees should not be left waiting without a suitable temporary storage spot.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Plant material

Young treesqty 40
Tree stakesqty 40
Tree strapsqty 40
Compostqty 10
Tree barkqty 8
Wooden tree tagsqty 45

Tools

Shovelsqty 12
Scoopsqty 8
Rakesqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Pitchersqty 8
Pruning shearsqty 4
Work glovesqty 50
Measuring tapesqty 3
Wooden pegsqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 4

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 8

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 50
Workbenchesqty 4
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pitchersqty 8

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Outdoor lightingqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Welcome signsqty 2
Name labelsqty 60
Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Lemonade - 6 liters
- Sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Herb cheese - 600 grams
- Turkey breast - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Rice - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian vegetable burgers - 50 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Barbecue sauce - 500 milliliters
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Spice mix - 2 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Wet wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan one tree stake and one tree strap for each young tree, then keep about 10% extra for replacements. Check that the stakes and straps are compatible with the tree sizes before delivery.
For tools, start with roughly one shovel or scoop for every two to three planters, plus one rake and one wheelbarrow for each active planting area. Too few digging tools create delays when several people arrive at once.
Provide one pair of work gloves per participant who will plant, and keep spare pairs available. Safety goggles and reflective vests are easy to overlook when the planting area is near paths, vehicles or deliveries.
Allow at least two reusable cups per person if coffee, tea and cold drinks will be served over several hours. Prepare separate coffee cups, plates, bowls and cutlery if snacks include both drinks and food.
Order labels, wooden tags, pegs and barrier tape before the planting materials arrive. Without them, it is easy to lose track of the planting plan or let people walk across prepared beds.

Frequently asked questions

How many tree stakes do I need per tree?: Plan on one tree stake and one tree strap per young tree. Add around 10% extra of each, so an order for 30 trees would include about 33 stakes and 33 straps.
How many shovels are needed for a birth forest planting?: Allow one shovel or scoop for every two to three people who will be planting at the same time. For 24 planters, prepare 8 to 12 digging tools, depending on whether people work in pairs.
How much compost should I buy for planting trees?: Work out the amount from the planting plan and the size of the holes rather than buying a fixed number of bags. Confirm the required volume with the person responsible for the site at least one week before planting.
How many cups and plates do I need for the planting day?: Provide at least two reusable cups per person when drinks are served throughout the event, plus one plate per person for snacks. For 30 participants, prepare 60 cups and 30 plates, with a few extras if washing during the event is not possible.

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