The Forest

Israel's forests and parks were not always here.  Prior to 1901, the land that so many call the center of their beliefs was little more than a desolate land with not a mite of shade.  In the 100+ years since, efforts have been underway to restore the Holy Land to the land of “milk and honey”.

Partnered with The Land of Promise Foundation and their network, established in 1901, trees gifted through Christian Green are part of the 240 million trees and counting that have been planted in Israel on more than 225,000 acres of land.  By aligning ourselves with the KKL-JNF (Israel's exclusive forestry agency, by virtue of the 1961 Covenant it signed with the Government), we bridge the gap between your gift of a tree and the assurance that it is being planted in the area in Israel that is most in need at the time.

The aims of afforestation have changed with the times, but the goal has always been constant - - To ensure a future for the Holy Land. In the past, it came to meet immediate needs, such as defense of extensive land tracts and soil conservation. Today, it serves a wide range of purposes, such as improving environmental quality (by serving as "green lungs"), supplying wood, and upgrading range lands.

Planting Trees - What and Where?

The type and location of the planting depends on the specific area in need. Israel's territory is made up of two distinct climatic regions: Mediterranean and semi-arid. Each climatic region affects the nature of planting, including tree species and forest management. Adapting forests to environmental conditions assures long-term survival.

Today's plantings are carried out on two types of ground:

• New forest areas:  Where no forest existed previously.
• Regenerative areas: Where an existing forest had been cut down because of damage to the trees. Such damage may be due to pests, drought, fire or snow.

So, where is your tree being planted?

Given the broad range of active forestry projects and the low price for the tree, we are unable to mark the exact tree that is associated with your gift.  However, you can feel confident that your tree is being planted in the area most in need at the time as part of our partnership with Israel's forestry agency.

Recent years have seen a great reduction in the scope of plantings in new forest areas in the northern and central parts of the country.  Rather, most of the plantings in these areas are for regenerative purposes, as a result of damage caused to the trees over the years, which ended with the trees being felled.  These trees are currently being planted in response to a variety of needs, including:  to protect national land, to roll back the desert, to conserve soil, to anchor sands, for grazing purposes, and more.

All of the forestry work done as part of Christian Green derives from a commitment to the National Master Plan for Forests and Afforestation (NMP 22), which was drafted by KKL-JNF, the Israel Lands Administration, the Interior and Environment ministries, etc., and approved by the Government of Israel in 1995.