I have always wanted a tree-lined driveway. Big maples arching over the lane making a tunnel of green.

Matt and I planted 6 trees along the driveway (5 maples and 1 linden) to try to make that happen.

At the bottom of the driveway, there are already some well-established trees. These ones were evergreens. Not what I envisioned, but they provide a great windbreak and snow break around the gate. However, there were some gaps. Whether trees were never planted there or the trees died, I don’t know.

This spring we unexpectedly had the opportunity to fill in some of the gaps.

It started when we were helping my Mom in her garden. There were two little saplings that had grown from cones from the neighbour’s trees. The neighbours used to be my grandparents and my grandfather planted the spruce trees that shed the cones.

My Mom didn’t want the saplings, so I dug them out and brought them home. They have happily taken root amongst the evergreens around the gate. I’m hoping they’ll fit right in once they grow up.

On the other side of the driveway, we planted 4 more little evergreens. These ones are even smaller than my Grandpa’s trees. They had popped up on the barn ramp, so I decided to relocate them. It turned out they fit perfectly in the gaps on the opposite side–or will once they grow.

Diana Beresford-Kroeger (please read anything by her) says that if everyone on earth plants 1 native tree per year for the next 6 years (48 billion trees), we can reverse the effects of climate change. I’m trying to plant more trees around our property as a small way to help.

Even though the evergreens are not part of my vision for a tree-lined driveway, they are a practical choice to shelter the area around the gate. I also love that I have two trees from my Grandpa here at the farm now.

Have you planted any trees this spring? Is anyone else relocating trees from one home to another? Do you have any family heirloom plants?