Tree guards and summer watering
Ringing a road’s young saplings with bamboo guards and watering them in turns, morning and evening, through the summer, so that planted trees live.
- 0/6 people
- About 10 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
A list of the young saplings along one or two kilometres of road: which have no guard, which are drying out. Bamboo guards around the unguarded ones, a small ridge round each base to hold water. Then four weeks of summer watering in turns, morning or evening, by bucket, each day in a register.
Why it matters
Every monsoon many saplings are planted, but cattle and goats eat many and the summer dries out more. Keeping planted saplings alive costs less than planting new ones, and grown trees give the road shade in the heat.
What changes after
At least thirty saplings protected by guards; a four-week watering register; a nearby shop or household has taken on watering afterwards.
Who can join
Anyone; with nearby shopkeepers and residents, the watering turns are easier.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 10 hours across all steps
- 1
List the saplings and get permission
One to two kilometres of road: which saplings lack guards, which are drying. Tell the municipality or union council.
120 minখাতা
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Bamboo guards
Bamboo guards around unguarded saplings, out of reach of cattle and goats; loosen the soil and make a small ridge round each base.
240 minবাঁশের খাঁচা, দড়ি
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Watering in turns
Four summer weeks, morning or evening; water by bucket from a nearby shop or home. Date and name in the register.
240 minবালতি
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Bamboo tree guards · ৩০টি
- Rope · প্রয়োজনমতো
- Buckets · ৬টি
When it counts as done
- At least thirty saplings guarded, in before and after photos
- A four-week watering register
Proof required
- Before photo
- After photo
- Document
Safety
Work from the roadside, never in the carriageway; wear bright clothes. No work in the midday sun.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳3,500–8,000
- People
- 6
- Time in all
- 10 hours
- Age
- 12 or older
Best timeGuards at any time; watering in summer (roughly March to early June), morning or evening. New saplings in the monsoon where old ones died.
PermissionTell whoever owns the road (municipality, union council or road authority) in writing. For trees on private land, the owner’s consent.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo guards (ready-made, or bamboo to make them)30Where: Bamboo market or local craftsman | 30 | ৳100–220 |
| Nylon rope2 bundlesWhere: Hardware shop | 2 bundles | ৳100–200 |
| Buckets6Where: Plastic goods shop | 6 | ৳150–300 |
| Drinking water and a light snack6 peopleWhere: Neighbourhood grocery | 6 people | ৳60–100 |
| Total (about) | ৳3,500–8,000 | |
Getting ready, step by step
7 days before
- Walk the road and list the saplings: guard or not, leaves green or not.
- Give the road authority a letter; keep the received copy.
3 days before
- Get the guards and rope; ask a nearby shop or home about taking water.
On the day
- Before photos, then guards and ridges round the bases.
- Start the watering register.
The four weeks after
- Water in turns; the lead checks once a week.
Who does what
Lead1
Speaks with the authority, keeps the rota, checks weekly.
Guard team3
Set guards, tie rope, loosen the soil at the base.
Watering rota2
Water on their days and sign the register.
Whom to speak to first
The municipality, union council or road authority
- Why
- The road and trees are theirs; once told, nobody objects.
- How
- A written letter; keep the received copy.
Shopkeepers and residents along the road
- Why
- The water comes from them, and they will look after the trees later.
- How
- Give each one sapling to care for and write their name in the register.
The day, hour by hour
- 07:00Gather, bright clothes, safety talk (never in the carriageway).
- 07:15Before photo of each sapling.
- 07:30Set guards, tie rope, make ridges.
- 09:30First watering; after photos from the same angle.
- 10:00Hand over the watering register, done.
How to take the proof
- Each sapling before and after, from the same angle.
- Photos of the four-week watering register.
- The authority’s received copy.
Common first-time mistakes
- Tying the guard tight against the stem so it cuts in.
- Watering at midday.
- Starting without fixing a water source.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Traffic on the road
Work only from the roadside; one person watches the traffic; no children at the road edge.
Falling ill in the heat
No midday work; water and shade; anyone dizzy lies down in the shade; call 999 if serious.
The rota falling apart
Give each sapling to a nearby resident; the lead phones weekly.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
WhatsApp / Facebook invitation
Help keep planted trees alive! Where: [road name], [area] When: [date], 7 to 10 am; then four weeks of watering in turns What: bamboo guards for the saplings, ridges round the bases, watering. Bring: bright clothes, a cap, a water bottle. Age 12 and up (with an adult). To join: send a join request on this task’s page on Desher Kaj, or tell [lead’s name] in this group.
Letter to the road authority
Date: [date] To [Mayor / Union Council Chairman / Executive Engineer] [office name] Subject: Guards and summer watering for the saplings along [road name]. Sir/Madam, From [date] we wish to put bamboo guards around the unguarded saplings along about [length] km of [road name], and water them in turns for four weeks. No tree will be cut or moved. No money will be collected from anyone for this work; what is needed comes as gifts in kind or at the team’s own cost. We ask you to note this and support it. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform Phone: [number]
After it is done
- At the start of the monsoon, plant native saplings where old ones died, with permission.
- A year on, post an update with photos from the same spots.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to water?
Morning or evening, when the sun is low; at midday the water dries off fast.
Should we replant where a sapling died?
Plant in the monsoon, native species. Get saplings from a Forest Department or local nursery, with the road authority’s permission.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.