Shanghai ran short of land for planting trees on Tree-Planting Day, according to the Shanghai Greenery and Public Sanitation Bureau.

The area available for planting trees fell to an all-time low of 248,000 square meters. Last year, the figure was 300,000 sq m; in 2010 it was about 580,000 sq m.

Quotas for Monday's tree-planting were fully booked as early as last Thursday, mostly by government and social organizations rather than individuals. Many residents who wished to participate in tree planting this year could not be included.

However, the Shanghai Greenery Committee Office said that citizens could celebrate the day by adopting trees instead of planting them. About 89,900 trees, including 258 rare trees, were offered for adoption this year.

An official from the Shanghai Greenery Committee Office said that not all of the trees were adopted because adoption had not been common in previous years.