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Common Questions

Here are answers to some questions you may be asking about Arbopals. If there’s anything else you want to ask us, please .

Why is tree planting so important?

Trees are essential to our survival, and to the survival of all animals, birds and insects on the planet. They naturally filter the air we breathe and the water we drink. According to the United Nations, an area of rainforest the size of a football field is being destroyed each and every second. To make up for the loss of trees in the past decade alone—from fires, deforestation, urban sprawl, invasive pest species, floods, etc.—the UN says that we would need to plant approximately 14 billion trees every year for 10 consecutive years, and would require each person on the planet to plant and care for at least two seedlings per year. Arbopals believes strongly that we should all do our part to plant trees and do other things that help the planet and improve the environment.

What does Arbopals hope to accomplish?

As we grow and expand—by donating to recognized not-for-profit tree-planting organizations around the world—Arbopals will be helping to plant millions of trees, so that together we can get closer to this UN goal of planting 14 billion trees every year.

Does Arbopals plant the trees or
does some other group or organization?

Arbopals works with and partners with recognized and accountable not-for-profit groups, scientists, forest professionals, nurseries and others around the world to make sure that the trees get planted in a responsible and sustainable way. We keep track of the number of trees planted on your behalf, and the number of countries where we help to plant trees. 

How much money does Arbopals invest in
tree-planting and forest-planting initiatives each year?

As Arbopals grows, so will our investments in trees and forests around the world. Everything we do revolves around helping to plant new trees internationally.

Are you a private business or a not-for-profit charity?

Arbopals is a private business. We believe strongly that private businesses have a role to play in planting trees and forests around the world, and to ensuring that we all help improve the environment. We complement the work done by charities and foundations around the world as well as selected green corporations, and we often work with them to support their efforts.

Why do you sell Arbopals products?
Aren’t we all supposed to cut back on our consumption?

We sell environmentally-friendly products that people need, use and re-use, including school supplies. We also believe that kids should grow up learning about the importance of having a clean and healthy environment and that is why we sell environmentally-friendly merchandise. Don’t forget that everything we sell on or through this site means that more trees get planted internationally. At a time when kids are bombarded by consumerism and encouraged to buy, buy, buy, we think that putting some thought to trees and forests is a good way to go.

Can you tell us where individual trees are planted?

We cannot tell you where individual trees are planted, but we can tell you the general areas and locations where trees are planted. No tree planting organization can pinpoint the precise location where one individual tree was planted—especially since, during planting season, thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of trees are being planted in locations sometimes spread over vast areas.

Will the trees you help plant still be growing 50 years from now?

Our hope is that the trees we help plant will be around for a very long time, but fires, floods, disease, and many other natural and man-made disasters destroy huge numbers of trees and forests around the world every year. What we can guaranteees is that, by working with recognized and accountable tree-planting organizations as we do, site-appropriate trees will always be properly planted, nurtured, and cared for. 

Why do you use English as your main language?

Arbopals started in Toronto, Canada, and is spreading out—branching out, you might say—to communities, towns, cities and countries around the world. In the coming months and years we will be working more closely with non-English-speaking countries and having other languages on the site.

How do you connect to tree-planting
initiatives in other countries?

We have developed many contacts with local, national and international organizations, foundations and tree-friendly businesses around the world and we will continue to develop these contacts. We also depend upon local knowledge. If you have information that can help us plant trees and forests, we’d like to hear from you! We will, of course, pursue due diligence so that we are confident the trees and the forests are getting planted and that tree planting resources are well and appropriately spent.

Do you make use of local knowledge
in the countries where you help to plant trees?

Arbopals believes strongly in partnering with tree-planting organizations that make good use of local and indigenous forest management-based and scientific-based knowledge. Through our tree-planting partners, we support the work of professional, responsible and accountable local foundations, organizations and businesses around the world to plant appropriate and site-specific trees and forests.