Explore the Phase 1 - Trees about the Project of this artwork.
In the first phase of the project, with a target of 625 donors, around 635 trees were sponsored, with oak and wild cherry the most-chosen, and just a few of the most costly, the evergreen oak, as well as maple, cedar and pine.  The total contributed by sponsors was around 45,000 euro. Some corporate sponsors, including McInerney and Bruce Shaw, donated trees on behalf of community organisations, as well as the comprehensive school. Each sponsor was invited, over a period of 18 months, to a face-to-face meeting with the artist. At this meeting Gerz explored the concept of the project and worked with the sponsor to develop a short text answering the question "If this tree could speak, what would it say for me?" to be printed on an enamelled plaque or lectern by their chosen tree.  Donors were also asked to choose in which neighbourhood of Ballymun the tree should be planted.  The project reported that the choice of locations proved challenging, due to both the massive demolition and construction work ongoing across Ballymun, and to other, more routine, tree planting work.620 trees were planted on a wide range of streets between 2004 and 2006, by Coillte, Ballymun Regeneration and the city council, and the plaques installed adjacent to each, 32 cm from the ground.  In the event of vandalism, of which there was a small initial wave, the lecterns were quickly replaced to maintain continuity, which the project believed led to an abatement in vandalism.  As of 2017, the first 15 trees sponsored had not yet been planted, as they were to be specially sited around the illuminated map of the whole project at Ballymun's civic plaza.
oak Coillte wild cherry cedar Ballymun maple