I used to think of planting trees as one of the simplest ways to do something good. Trees are pretty straightforward, help heal the earth, and are simply pleasant to be around.
Turns out, the act of tree planting can be pretty complicated! In a frenzied effort to plant as many trees as possible, there have been several recent examples of tree planting going really wrong. These include scenarios where reforestation sites have displaced human communities, cases where harmful species have been planted, or where a failure to account for social factors have resulted in a net loss of trees.
Get this, though. Tree planting is still important. We just need to figure out a better way to do it, one that turns up the good and reduces the harm.
Based on my recent visit to a Plant With Purpose reforestation site in Ethiopia and my conversation with tree planters, here are a few core ideas behind tree planting in an effective way:
🌳 Plant the right tree in the right place
🌳 Let the locals lead
🌳 Pay attention to social/economic factors
🌳 Focus on beliefs around trees, not just behaviors
🌳 Strive for whole-ecosystem health