Tree Types

Sponsor Trees plants a range of indigenous tree species with generally around 10 or so different types in open land or 'watershed' areas to provide the benefits above. This is necessary to continue the natural eco-system balance required for long-term sustainability and bio-diversity. Any less and the same tree types would absorb all the nutrients from the ground and not survive effectively for long. This is a fundamental error made by most tree planting organizations who are just doing this to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Furthermore, with a range of tree types which benefit from each other, they absorb more Co2 and need less management as they sustainably grow naturally, and produce many natural resources.

The most popular given to local families is the Eucalyptus Tree which are multi-purpose, fast growing trees that can survive in harsh conditions and re-grow after cutting. In fact, as it is the roots which need to be long and strong for it to successfully suck water from underground to survive, once these are in place the tree coppices (grows back) much faster after cutting and therefore absorbs far more carbon from the atmosphere than other trees. These trees are often used for tele-coms, electricity pylons, building homes and are probably the most useful tree in developing countries as they also provide a good base to grow food crops around.

Sponsor Trees is also sponsoring the first Fruit Tree nursery in Ethiopia although due to difficulty in sourcing seeds, these quantities are currently limited to approximately 250,000 per season. They are also more sensitive and difficult to cultivate and thus more expensive. However their benefits are obvious and because they are scarce and harder to cultivate, are an interesting alternative commodity in demand.