Q. Is Tree-Planting allowed in Israel during the Shemittah year?

A. I’m not sure of JNF’s policy, but Halacha forbids planting in Israel’s soil during the Shemitta (sabbatical) year. 5768 / 2007-8 (when this question was originally posted) is a Shemmitah year. There are several different ways that observant Jews deal with agricultural needs during Shemitta, (which are the cause of much argument), some of which may allow planting trees under very specific circumstances.