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“Plant a Tree” Experience at the Expo

The “Plant a Tree” experience at the Sumitomo Pavilion was a program where participants could learn about the relationship between forests and people, understand the importance of sustainable forestry, and take part in creating the forests of the future.

SUMITOMO EXPO2025
Total number of cypress saplings planted
during the “Plant a Tree” experience: 10,925

For the tree-planting experience, children first attended the “Forest School” at the Sumitomo Pavilion. Through a video lecture, they learned about the importance of tree planting and the cycle of forest ecosystems.

At the “Forest School,” children explore the relationship between forests and people through tablet-based quizzes and interactive activities.
At the “Forest School,” children explore the relationship between forests and people through tablet-based quizzes and interactive activities.

Program overview

Frequency:
4 times daily during the Expo period
Duration:
Approximately 25 minutes per session
How to participate:
1) Make an advance reservation via the Expo App
2) Register on the day via the Expo App or an on-site registration terminal
3) Register on the day at the Forest School
Participants:
Primarily elementary school students
(preschoolers and junior high students may also join)
Session capacity: 15 persons per session (maximum 20 persons)
Sapling species:
Japanese cypress (hinoki)

Program flow

Lecture at the “Forest School” in the Sumitomo Pavilion
After registration at the entrance of the “Forest School,” participants watch a 7-minute lecture video explaining the significance of tree planting and the forest cycle. This is followed by an announcement of safety precautions and the division of participants into groups.
Repotting saplings in the outdoor lawn area
Participants receive instructions on how to repot a sapling. They remove the sapling from its container, loosen the soil, and transplant it into a jiffy pot.
Placing the sapling pots in the wall display area
Participants carry their saplings to the wall display area and insert the pots into the wall installation.
Commemorative photograph
The tree-planting experience concludes with a commemorative photo and the distribution of a souvenir.
Tree-planting event area

The participating children carried out tree-planting while directly handling saplings and soil. Taking part in creating a forest that will grow into the future provided them with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the relationship between people and forests.

The children’s tree-planting activity plays an important role in maintaining the forest cycle.

The saplings planted during the activity were displayed on the east wall of the Sumitomo Pavilion. In this way, the trees that had been felled and used as construction materials for the pavilion were brought into contact with the young saplings that will grow into the forests of the future.

The east wall of the Sumitomo Pavilion lined with cypress saplings planted by children.

Participants received a “Plant a Tree Certificate” for their contribution to creating a forest for the future.

“Plant a Tree Certificate.” The date of participation is stamped on it.

As a souvenir, each participant also received either a loupe or a pen case.

Left: loupe; right: pen case. These products were made using peeled wood cores generated during the milling of the Sumitomo Pavilion’s construction materials, inspired by the desire to “cherish the life of every single tree.”.
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