Geita Tree Plantation – Replanting After Survival Challenges

Tree planting under the Geita Tree Plantation Reforestation Project in Tanzania has been underway with Tree-Nation since 2023.  Across our two planting sites, Lubeho (11,000 trees) and Bufunda Genge Tano (19,000 trees), over 30,000 trees have been planted as part of this initiative. Together, these efforts contribute to the restoration of degraded ecosystems, support local biodiversity, and provide essential environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and carbon capture.

Understanding the Challenge

During our on-site verification visit in May 2025, our Environment Team assessed both sites after one year of growth. Unfortunately, tree survival was found to be well below expectations, with some plots showing very low survival rates and others experiencing total loss.

Further analysis revealed several contributing factors affecting both sites:

• Invasion of Livestock: Grazing activities in the planting areas led to severe damage to young trees.
• Unclear Land Tenure: Communal ownership systems created challenges for accountability and land use control.
• Local Encouragement of Grazing: Strong preference for livestock grazing in the region conflicted with reforestation objectives.
• Limited Tree Care: Low community involvement reduced necessary maintenance and care for seedlings.
• Semi-Arid Conditions: Limited rainfall made establishment particularly difficult during dry seasons.
• Unsuitable Species: Species such as Tamarindus indica and Brachystegia spiciformis, planted across both sites, did not adapt well to the local environment.

While these results are disappointing, they offer valuable lessons that will improve future planting efforts not only in Geita, but also across Tree-Nation’s global reforestation projects.

Our Response

To address these challenges and ensure the long-term success of the project, we are taking the following steps:

• Replanting in a New Location: All lost trees will be replanted in a carefully selected new site with secure and clearly defined land rights, reducing the risk of grazing conflicts and ensuring better protection for the trees.
• Strengthened Site Selection: A more rigorous environmental and social risk assessment will guide the choice of new sites.
• Enhanced Local Engagement: We will prioritize deeper involvement of local communities to ensure stronger awareness, ownership, and care of trees.
• Improved Monitoring and Support: Regular inspections and support systems will be implemented for better follow-up on growth and care.
• Ecological Species Selection: We will prioritize tree species that are ecologically suitable and well-adapted to the new planting areas.

Looking Ahead

The next planting cycle is scheduled for September 2025. We remain committed to monitoring future sites closely and providing transparent updates to improve survival rates.

We sincerely thank our donors and community for their continued support. Every challenge brings opportunities for growth, and with these changes, we aim to deliver a stronger, more sustainable impact.