How tree planting saved a man after retirement: You’ll never hit rock bottom again

Just before retirement, a civil servant in Kaduna decided to plant an orchard in preparation for his retirement. His colleagues baulked and thought he was crazy. “Buy land and plant fruit trees, how is that a retirement plan?” they queried. “We’re going to build houses instead.” So they took their gratuities and built houses for […]

Just before retirement, a civil servant in Kaduna decided to plant an orchard in preparation for his retirement. His colleagues baulked and thought he was crazy. “Buy land and plant fruit trees, how is that a retirement plan?” they queried.

“We’re going to build houses instead.” So they took their gratuities and built houses for rent. At least we can collect rent from the houses that will keep our body and soul together, they reasoned. “After some years,” my tree planting consultant told me as he continued the story, “his fruit trees alone were generating 16 million naira.”

The middlemen selling fruits to factories will contact him and agree on the price before even harvesting the fruits.

“And that’s only from the trees,” the consultant continued, “he also plants vegetables between the trees.”

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I asked him what happened to the man’s friends who built houses. “They have their houses. But from how many houses can you get even five million naira as rent in Kaduna?” He asked.

Expanding on the theme of retirees benefiting from tree planting, let’s delve into two more stories that illustrate the potential rewards:

The Healing Power of Nature: Meet Mrs Adeola, a retired teacher from Lagos. After decades of moulding young minds, she found herself at a crossroads in retirement, grappling with a sense of purposelessness. Determined to find solace, she embarked on a journey to connect with nature by planting a small forest on a piece of land she inherited from her parents. Initially met with scepticism from her peers who urged her to invest in more conventional ventures, Mrs. Adeola persisted, nurturing her saplings with care and dedication. As her forest flourished, so did her spirit. Spending hours among the trees, she found a sense of tranquillity and purpose that had eluded her since retirement.

But the true magic unfolded when she opened her forest to the community, transforming it into a sanctuary for meditation and reflection. People from all walks of life flocked to her oasis, seeking refuge from the stresses of urban living. Inspired by the healing power of nature, Mrs. Adeola’s forest became a beacon of hope, reminding retirees that their golden years can be filled with growth and renewal.

Cultivating Sustainable Futures: Imagine Mr. Kwame, a retired banker from Accra, who saw tree planting not just as a hobby, but as a means to empower future generations. With a keen eye for sustainable development, he dedicated his retirement years to establishing agroforestry projects in rural communities. Partnering with local farmers, Mr. Kwame introduced diverse tree species that not only enriched the soil but also provided additional sources of income.

Through his guidance, farmers learned to integrate trees into their crop cycles, creating resilient agroecosystems that could withstand the challenges of climate change. As the trees matured, so did the communities that nurtured them. Farmers saw increased yields, improved water retention, and enhanced biodiversity on their lands.

But perhaps the greatest reward was the sense of pride and self-reliance that blossomed within these communities. By planting trees, Mr. Kwame had planted seeds of prosperity that would bear fruit for generations to come. In essence, these stories echo the wisdom of the ages: by cultivating a symbiotic relationship with nature, retirees can not only find fulfilment but also leave a legacy of sustainability and abundance for future generations to inherit.

So, as you contemplate your retirement plans, remember the words of John Muir: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. In closing, here are three analogies to complement the three stories above.

Retirement as a Blank Canvas: Retirement can be likened to a blank canvas awaiting the strokes of purpose and meaning. Just as an artist breathes life into a blank canvas with every brushstroke, retirees have the opportunity to infuse their golden years with vibrant hues of growth and renewal through endeavours like tree planting.

Retirement as a Garden of Possibilities: Retirement is akin to a garden waiting to be cultivated. Just as a gardener carefully tends to each plant, retirees can nurture their passions and interests, cultivating a landscape of fulfilment and abundance. Like a well-tended garden, retirement holds the promise of beauty, tranquillity, and bountiful harvests.

Retirement as a Symphony of Seasons: Retirement unfolds like a symphony, with each phase representing a season of life. Just as nature transitions seamlessly from spring’s new beginnings to winter’s quiet reflection, retirees experience the ebb and flow of growth, change, and renewal. Like a symphony conductor, retirees can orchestrate their retirement years, harmonizing the diverse elements of their lives into a masterpiece of purpose and fulfilment.