What to buy for a forest planting day

A forest planting day needs more than trees and shovels. You will need planting materials, shared tools, water, protective equipment and a simple registration setup for volunteers. Order native trees and shrubs early, especially if quantities depend on the planting area. Check deliveries before volunteers arrive, and keep plants watered temporarily if planting is delayed. This list also covers the easily missed items, such as tree straps, name stickers, sunscreen and signs.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 60
Wooden benchesqty 4
Registration desk

Tools

Shovelsqty 20
Scoopsqty 10
Rakesqty 8
Hoesqty 8
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 12
Pitchersqty 10
Garden hosesqty 2
Pruning shearsqty 6

Safety

Work glovesqty 60
Safety vestsqty 20
First aid kit
Sunscreenqty 4

Plant material

Native treesqty 80
Native shrubsqty 120
Tree stakesqty 80
Tree strapsqty 80
Compostqty 20
Tree barkqty 10

Registration

Clipboardsqty 4
Markersqty 12
Name stickersqty 80
Registration formsqty 80

Decorations

Information boardsqty 8
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Soup ladlesqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Food warmersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8

Lighting

LED construction lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Handwashing stationsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Tea - 120 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Hot chocolate - 5 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Multigrain rolls - 70 pieces
- White rolls - 30 pieces
- Vegan rolls - 15 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Vegetable Soup - 25 liters
- Croutons - 6 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Recycling bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Order native trees, shrubs, stakes and straps as soon as the planting area and required quantities are confirmed. Keep a few extra stakes and straps available for replacements.
Plan shared tools around the number of people planting at once. Shovels, scoops, rakes, hoes, wheelbarrows, buckets and pruning shears are easier to manage when grouped at a tool-check point.
Provide at least one pair of work gloves per volunteer, plus safety vests for the people directing work or handling registration. Put the first aid kit and sunscreen where everyone can find them.
Arrange water access before planting starts: garden hoses for watering the planting area, and buckets or pitchers for moving smaller amounts of water. Do not leave delivered plants waiting without a temporary watering plan.
Prepare registration supplies before the first volunteer arrives. Put forms, clipboards, markers and name stickers at the registration desk, then place cones and information boards where people can see instructions and safety guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a forest planting day?: Buy native trees and shrubs, tree stakes, tree straps, compost and tree bark, together with planting tools and watering equipment. Add work gloves, safety vests, a first aid kit, sunscreen, registration supplies and safety signs.
How many pairs of gloves do I need for a tree planting event?: Plan one pair of work gloves per registered volunteer, and keep several spare pairs available for lost or damaged gloves. For example, 30 volunteers need at least 30 pairs, preferably 33 to 35.
How early should I order trees for a planting day?: Order the trees and shrubs as soon as the planting area and required quantities are confirmed, preferably several weeks before the event. Confirm the delivery at least a few days beforehand so shortages can be resolved before volunteers arrive.
What do I need for volunteer registration at a planting day?: Set up one registration desk with registration forms, clipboards, markers and name stickers. Prepare the table at least 30 minutes before arrival time, and keep the volunteer schedule and planting instructions there.

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