One man gives 100,000 saplings away to create a greener UAE

An Emirati philanthropist has launched a project to distribute 100,000 ghaf and arak tree saplings to people across the UAE.

Salem Al Qayedi came up with the idea to encourage people to expand green spaces in the country by planting more foliage.

Mr Al Qayedi said the scheme – “My tree is my endowment” – attracted large crowds at Maliha market in Sharjah this week.

He said supporters had also been in touch on social media to ask if they were able to pick up more of his trees.

“This project was launched in celebration of these holy days and to instil the importance of expanding green spaces by planting more trees,” Mr Al Qayedi said.

“We want to encourage community members to be part of this process.”

The ghaf is a species of small, flowering tree in the pea family.

It is found throughout the Gulf region and parts of South Asia but is regarded as the national tree of the UAE.

Its long roots ensure it can reach water deep underground, allowing it to survive in hot desert conditions.

The arak tree or shrub is native to the Middle East and Africa. It grows to three metres and its fibrous branches have been used for centuries as a natural toothbrush – or miswak – because of their antiseptic properties.

Mr Al Qayedi said his next project will be to distribute one million free trees and launch a campaign to educate young people in the UAE about the importance of green spaces.