The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.

The proverb contrasts an ideal, already-missed opportunity (“20 years ago”) with the only actionable moment left (“now”). It acknowledges regret without letting it become paralysis: the past cannot be changed, but present action can still yield future benefits. The image of planting a tree emphasizes patience and compounding returns—trees take time to mature, yet the sooner one begins, the sooner shade and fruit arrive. The line is frequently used to encourage starting difficult or delayed projects, reframing late beginnings as still meaningful and urging responsibility for one’s future rather than fixation on lost time.

1) “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”
2) “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is today.”
3) “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The best time after that is now.”