The Right Tree for the Right Place  

The evolution of trees from more primitive plants some 370 million years ago was the trigger for the Earth’s climate to become more oxygen rich, and more favourable to animal life. During that process large amounts of carbon dioxide were taken out of the atmosphere at rates unprecedented in the World’s history. Deforestation, with other anthropogenic change, is the undoing of that evolution and disruption of its climatic regulation benefits.

Trees, unlike animals, can’t move and typically live in the same place for centuries. With the exception of very few reptiles, trees are the only living organisms with lifespans greater than humans. They are unique inter-generational gifts to pass on to our descendants. Indeed, the oldest living tree has spanned more than 150 human generations. 
 
Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign is part of humanity’s collective gift to subsequent generations. It is a superb initiative to link people, trees and the environment. Planting trees is great, although using appropriate scientific knowledge to plant the right tree in the right place is even greater. Our individual priorities for tree planting may differ from habitat conservation to rural income enhancement to renewable industries, but without greater tree planting we may forego all those opportunities. 

Understanding, testing and promoting the right trees for the right places is a science. Developing and applying this knowledge in rural landscapes of the tropics is the mission of the World Agroforestry Centre. Planting trees is a key step, although ensuring their survival and sustainable management is even more important. We pledge to help accelerate the planting of trees for both valuable products (e.g. fruit, timber, medicine, fodder, oil), and beneficial services (e.g. watershed protection, biodiversity, erosion control, soil improvement, climate regulation). 

The 500 million smallholder farmers in the tropics stand to benefit tremendously from the greater recognition, appreciation and promotion of the right trees in the right places so that such trees may transform both lives and landscapes.