Healing Our Planet One Tree At a Time

Most people who visit Mount Saint Francis, Indiana are enamored by all the green that surrounds them. Entering onto the property of the Center for Spirituality and the 400 plus acre Sanctuary, very few would think that this oasis in a growing metropolitan area would have a tree problem. Yet, among the many environmental issues that need to be addressed on this land is the need for more trees. Over the past few years we have lost trees to storms, disease and age. We have also had to remove invasive species of trees that do not belong in the bio-region of Southern Indiana.

As part of our “Greening the Mount” program, which is part of the province-wide Franciscan Earth Care Initiative, we have begun to plant small trees on the property surrounding the buildings. Beginning on Earth Day two years ago we instituted an annual tree give-away. Working with the state Department of Natural Resources we handed out over 800 seedlings to our neighbors. Those that were left over were planted in a designated small nursery with plans to transplant them later.

On average, we have been planting about 12 new trees each year. Small saplings of White Oak, Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Sycamore, White Pine and even American Chestnut now dot the land thanks to the members of our tree committee. Climate scientists state that for every tree we lose we will need to plant 5 to 10 more to help capture the excess carbon that is in the atmosphere.