Gjorgjievski Announces 6,000 New Trees in Skopje by the End of the Season, Planting of the First 3,500 Saplings Has Begun

Skopje is set to get 6,000 new trees by the end of the season, and planting of the first 3,500 saplings has already begun. The announcement came from mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, in a Facebook post.

According to him, the campaign covers existing and new parks, green areas along the boulevards and public spaces in all Skopje municipalities. "Every new tree is an investment in the city we live in and in the future of our children. More shade for summer days, cleaner air and more green places for walks, play and socialising," Gjorgjievski wrote, adding that a "green and clean Skopje" is a commitment he is strongly dedicated to.

In a city that chokes on polluted air every winter, every tree is welcome. But the post gives the number and the message and skips everything else: which species are being planted, how much the saplings cost, exactly where they're going and - most importantly - who will look after them next summer. A sapling nobody waters is just a photo for social media.

That's why the real number won't be 6,000 planted, but how many of them are still alive in two years. Will we find that one out from Facebook too?