Trees For Our Children

With the Olympic games being held in China this year, many progressive humanitarian organizations are raising awareness about the plight of our poor Tibetan brothers who are suffering. While the staff at Trees For Our Children certainly don’t want to take any attention away from that, there is another serious issue that needs to be addressed, and we would like to help Greenpeace get the word out!

What’s the problem? The beautiful Merbau tree, whose forests are clearcut and used for coveted hardwood floors in rich homes and palaces is facing a terrifying extinction! To add to the troubles, the Chinese government is covering up the problem. In fact, Greenpeace conducted an investigation reporting that “Chinese importers used sophisticated methods such as forging import documents as prices of merbau soared to more than 600 dollars per cubic metre.” Read more here!

TFOC is all about planting endangered trees that are indigenous to North America, but we urge all of our readers to consider adding their voices to the devastation facing the Merbau! Make a positive difference for our forests–no matter where they are in danger!

—Tony Mantova

Trees For Our Children partnered with our friend, Rangerette Kim, to take a tour of one of California’s best kept secrets, the “Redwood Curtain.”

Located 4 hours north of San Francisco, the Redwood Forests are a vision of majesty, ancient reminders of prior ages where the entire planet was covered in rich forests teeming with life. Most Redwood forests are protected from predatory lumber franchises, which remain a constant threat to their survival. But with consistent awareness and education, TFOC will continue to play a role in keeping America’s forests protected!

We would like to thank Rangerette Kim for raising our awareness about so much of what the Redwood Forest has to offer! (And for bringing it to you! ) Please take a few minutes and view the pictures below. Or, better yet, visit the Redwoods yourself!

These pictures were taken with a high resolution instrument, so we at TFOC posted links rather than let these majestic images get blurred by picture reduction! While it requires an extra click from you, we are positive that you will thank us!

Founders Tree

Standing at 379 Ft., the Founder’s Tree is the Tallest Living Tree in the world!

Star Wars Tree

The tree that knocked that stormtrooper off of his speed bike in Return of The Jedi!

Forest Floor

Ferns, flowering plants and clovers (some are edible and taste quite good! ) cover the Redwood Forest floor

Redwood Forest

Canopy Scene

A huge large uprooted stump is an everlasting memorial

A Wilderness Road

Fern Invasion!

I hope this wasnt a Redwood! A bear scratching post!!

—Tony Mantova

From the ancient Greeks to regionally-disadvantaged peoples of today, organically harvesting the bark from cork trees has created a sustainable way of life for thousands! (don’t worry, if properly done, the stripped off bark is replaced with a healthy new coat! No trees are harmed in the cork making process!

Trees For Our Children welcomes the efforts of organizations working to reforest the cork tree population. Please check out the story, courtesy of our friends at the WWF!

—Tony Mantova