Laudato Si – Plant Hope with Red Cedar Trees
To recognise Laudato Si, we're giving you the opportunity to help heal the planet and give hope to others by planting one or more red cedar trees across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope’s Francis’ encyclical subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home”. In it, the Pope calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action” to protect God’s creation, while lamenting the destruction of nature and climate, and criticising irresponsible economic development and the culture of consumerism.
You can help heal the planet and give hope to others by planting one or more red cedar trees across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
As of 24 November 2025, the project has distributed 500 trees mainly to schools, families and community groups across the Hunter Valley, Manning and Midcoast areas. The goal is to plant at least 1,000 trees by mid-2026.
The Tighes Terrace Community Garden, supported by St Benedict’s Inner Newcastle Catholic parish, is offering free red cedar (Toona ciliata) trees to individuals, families, schools and community groups to celebrate Laudato Si Week.
The Red Cedar trees are fast growing and can grow to 20-30 meters.
The Sisters of St Joseph, Lochinvar have contributed funds to purchase the trees as part of the CRA campaign to mark the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’.
Register here for your tree via this form and a member of the team will be in contact with you.
