Feb 2

Feb 2 DIY: Plant a tree seedling

Planting baby trees for Tu B’Shevat

It’s the Hebrew month of Shevat, and that means that spring and the Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat is right around the corner! We can celebrate this time by eating delicious fruits, helping to take care of our earth and by planting seeds and trees!

Trees have always been special to Jewish people. Some families keep trees close to their hearts throughout a child’s life with a beautiful custom of planting a tree when a baby is born (cedar trees for boys and cypress trees for girls). The child helps take care of their tree while growing up, and then many years later, some branches are cut and made into a canopy (chuppah) for their child’s wedding ceremony.

My daughter and son-in-law’s wedding canopy! ♥

Today we are planting Arizona Cypress tree seedlings. We started by decorating small biodegradable containers, next scooped up some fresh dirt about halfway up the container, and then gently placed the tree seedling inside. Finally, we filled up the rest of the container with dirt spread carefully around the seedling. Later, when the seedlings are a little taller, sturdier and the weather is consistently warm, we will replant the trees in the ground!

Planting a tree seedling is pretty special! It might even be the very first time a child holds a “baby tree” in their hands. If you’d like, you can mark this occasion by saying a blessing to celebrate this happy moment in time and / or for doing something special for the very first time.

Ba-Ruch A-tah A-do-noi, Elo-hai-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam,

shecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higyanu lazman hazeh

Do you have any trees that are important to your family? Share with us in the comments below, and let us know if you plant a tree seedling this spring!

There are so many fun activities for families to do together to celebrate the month of Shevat and Jewish holiday Tu B’Shevat. Click here for DIY Beanie Baby Necklaces, DIY Edible Almond Tree, DIY Recyclable Party Hats, Birthday of the Trees Nature Walk, Visit a Strawberry Farm and make a Tu B’Shevat Fruit Salad, and Planting Early Spring Peas for Passover.

Happy Shevat and Tu B’Shevat! ♥

~Jennifer