Dear Esteemed Members,
A tree is a gift for the future. As we stand at the threshold of another nourishing monsoon, I invite every member of the Mohali Senior Citizens’ Association to turn this rainy season into one of hope—by planting trees. The science is clear, and our neighbourhoods confirm it: a single tree, given care and time, becomes a living shield against heat, flooding, polluted air and the creeping anxieties of climate change.
Many of us remember cooler summers, gentler rain and clearer skies. In recent years, Mohali has felt hotter, the air drier and the storms more erratic. Yet we are not powerless; tree planting remains one of the simplest, most affordable and most dignified actions we can take together. It suits our age and our wisdom: patient, steady and community-minded. A sapling planted today typically takes five to six years to fulfil its protective role. That may sound long, but it is well within our horizon—and squarely within the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren. Imagine our city in 2032, greener because we chose to begin now.
Consider what a mature tree does for us. Stand beneath one on a hot afternoon and you will feel it immediately—under the shade of a tree, the temperature drops noticeably. Streets shaded by trees can feel several degrees cooler, easing the heat stress many of us experience during long summers. Trees also slow rainwater, allowing it to seep into the ground and recharge our aquifers rather than flooding our streets. They trap dust and particulate matter, which is especially valuable for seniors managing respiratory and cardiac health.
To make this season truly count, let us plant the right trees in the right places and tend them properly. Native and local varieties should be our first choice. They are far more likely to survive because they are adapted to our climate, soils and rhythms. In our region, we can prioritise hardy, drought-tolerant and storm-resilient species with deep roots and broad canopies. Such trees are less likely to topple in strong winds and more likely to thrive without constant pampering.
A few simple principles will increase our success rate:
1. Choose a spot with enough space for the tree’s future canopy and roots to avoid conflicts with walls, drains and wires. Plant away from underground utilities and allow at least two to three feet from boundary walls for medium trees, and more for large canopy species.
2. Moist soil helps roots settle without transplant shock. If the rain pauses, water gently but deeply—two to three buckets, twice a week—until the soil is moist to a depth of a foot.
3. A planting pit that is wider than it is deep (about 2–3 feet across) encourages roots to spread. If your soil is heavy, mix in mature compost and a little sand to improve drainage.
4. A ring of dry leaves, straw, or coconut husks around the base helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds.
5. Protect young trees from browsing animals with simple mesh or bamboo enclosures.
6. Most native plants can manage on seasonal rainfall after two years.
Let us adopt a “One Family, One Tree” pledge this monsoon. Those who can plant more—please do so. For apartment residents, balcony and terrace planters with native shrubs and small trees in large containers can provide shade, nectar and joy. Housing societies can dedicate a patch to a micro-grove of five to seven native trees, which stabilises the soil and creates a cooler pocket for all residents.
I encourage each of our members to involve a younger hand—a grandchild or a neighbour’s child—when planting. Give the sapling a name, mark the date, and take a photo. These small rituals foster ownership and continuity. In five or six years, when that child stands in the shade you created together, they will understand what it means to inherit care rather than crisis.
Planting a tree is not merely an environmental act; it is a moral one. It signals that we accept our share of responsibility and our share of hope. It affirms that the best gifts are those that grow in value long after we have given them. Let this monsoon be remembered as the season when Mohali’s seniors led by example—quietly, steadily and effectively.
Let us plant now—so our city may breathe more easily, our streets feel cooler, and our grandchildren inherit shade, not heat. A sapling in your hands today is a step towards a kinder climate tomorrow.
Yours as ever,
Brig JS Jagdev