Trees, farmers and a tech start-up
When my brother and I thought about starting our own start-up, it was always clear to us that we would like to do something good and meaningful no matter if our efforts would have a little or a big impact in the future. Epiloge is just that, a platform focused on connecting people together based on their field of interests. We want to give everyone the opportunity to describe and present interesting projects, write articles or just upload a university paper or presentation so that all these efforts and accumulated knowledge would not be forgotten. In the same spirit, we have introduced a way to thank those who invite friends, colleagues and classmates about Epiloge — our Tree Challenge, in which we gift you your own personal tree that helps farmers in South America, Africa and in Europe. Don’t worry, it won’t be shipped to your doorsteps, it’s planted for you and you can follow its growth online.
Planting trees and seeing them grow are some of my best childhood memories
We were lucky growing up in a house with a garden full of trees and therefore early developed strong bonds to nature; and that’s why I still like trees so much. Their shapes, which are always unique, the change of the color of the leaves throughout the year and of course the tasty fruits. Our garden was packed with a cherry tree, an apple tree, a plum tree and a magnolia tree, carefully selected and also planted by myself and my brother, who being the younger one, took care of the supervising.
Soon I figured that somehow I had to grow my gardening territory. In the relaxed small town of Salzburg in Austria (you probably know that from Sound of Music…), as a kid you could just head over to your neighbor, knocked on the door and asked if you could plant a tree in his garden. Interestingly enough I do not remember that I got a lot of rejections. These were my early days as a professional tree planter. Little did I know that three decades later my favorite childhood memory would lead to a tree planting initiative on Epiloge.
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now - Chinese proverb
A green mission statement
We believe many people nowadays are following initiatives were people advocate for our planet. And many people would like to actively be part of such initiatives, but they either often simply do not have the means or the time.
With our little tree-challenge people can get a tree for free if they help us grow our community and thereby become part of a network of like-minded people who like to leave a green, environmental friendly statement next to their work achievements. Why do we want to do that? Because we do not only define us through work, but also about how we behave as human beings and how we treat the environment.
When we plant a tree, we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier dwelling-place for those who come after us if not for ourselves - Oliver Wendel Holmes
Where is your tree from and who takes care of it?
We get our trees from Treedom a young company from Florence, Italy whose mission is to plant trees where they are needed most. As not all of our users have a garden of their own, the farmers working with Treedom plant and without a doubt take good care of the trees for us. After all they either want to harvest the fruits some day or sit in the shadow of the crown of the tree.
So you can relax and follow your tree’s growth online but without having to take care of the tree by yourself. And you can be sure that the farmer you support with your tree sends you a smiling thank you while eating or selling his bananas.
Which trees are chosen and where are they planted?
With your tree/s we help to create small agro-forestry systems. Treedom makes exact choices in relation to the specific characteristics and needs of each project area. The tree species planted are native or if not native respect and harmonize with the biodiversity of the different territories. That can for instance be banana trees, cacao trees and white mangroves for hot and dry areas or oak trees for a more moderate climate. Most of the current Treedom projects are in Africa and South America with occasional projects in Europe and Asia.
The agro-forestry practice also integrates the planting of the trees in an agricultural system, favoring the interaction between the different species and a sustainable use of resources and land. This also benefits all kinds of animals living in the area.
See below how your tree and its friends may look like in the first weeks when they still ‘attend tree school’.
How your tree will play its part
One single tree won’t change a lot for our planet, but if you spread the word and more and more people join we can make an impact together. There are of course many other things we can do as well or instead, but without a doubt planting more trees around the world benefits us all in many different ways.
With your and our support Treedom directly finances these small agro-forestry projects. Your tree helps providing sustainable ecosystems. Impoverished farmers are supported by not having to bear the initial costs of planting new trees, which consequently ensures food autonomy and income opportunities over time. Further, provided education and shared knowledge about trees — on how to best use and interact with them — will be passed on to future generations.
Perhaps some day your tree will look like the giant below.
What you may know and may not know about your tree
It is common knowledge that all trees absorb a certain amount of CO2 in the course of their growth (depending on the type of tree), naturally generating a benefit for the entire planet. You probably also know that trees stabilize the soil to prevent erosion. The most obvious benefit of trees is that they provide shelter and food for countless animals and people.
But did you know that some trees can communicate among each other through their wide and sensitive root network or through the air with different fragrances? Some species of trees even form bonds (through their roots) and try to support each other in times of need or danger.
Therefore trees have more things in common with us humans then we probably imagine when we think of trees. Trees seem to know that friendships can help them and they support each other like humans do. Now it is up to us to form new bonds with trees by recognizing or remembering again how important they are for us.
Trees seem to know that friendships can help them and they support each other like humans do.
Note: The tree challenge has been replaced by the Epiloge Insider Program. If you still want a tree reach out to Titus or the Epiloge team.
