Tree Planting Initiatives in Kenya

Introduction

Trees are vital for Kenya’s environment, economy, and future. They provide oxygen, prevent soil erosion, regulate climate, conserve water, and support wildlife. However, Kenya’s forest cover is only about 7%, well below the recommended 10% minimum. Deforestation for charcoal, agriculture, and infrastructure continues despite conservation efforts.

The good news: Kenya has launched ambitious tree planting initiatives, including the target of 15 billion trees. Every Kenyan can participate. This guide explains why trees matter, how to get involved in planting programs, where to get free or cheap seedlings, and how to plant and care for trees successfully.

Why Kenya Needs More Trees

Environmental Benefits

Climate Regulation:

• Trees absorb carbon dioxide (fight climate change)
• Release oxygen
• Cool local temperatures
• Influence rainfall patterns

Water Conservation:

• Tree roots hold soil, preventing erosion
• Increase water infiltration into ground (recharge aquifers)
• Protect water sources (rivers, streams, springs)
• Reduce runoff and flooding

Soil Protection:

• Prevent erosion from wind and rain
• Improve soil fertility (falling leaves decompose)
• Legume trees fix nitrogen in soil

Biodiversity:

• Habitat for wildlife, birds, insects
• Support ecosystem balance

Economic Benefits

Direct Income:

• Fruits (mangoes, avocados, oranges, etc.)
• Timber (construction, furniture)
• Firewood and charcoal (when sustainably harvested)
• Herbal medicine
• Honey (bees need trees)

Indirect Benefits:

• Increased land value
• Agricultural productivity (agroforestry)
• Tourism (forests and wildlife)

Social Benefits

Health:

• Clean air
• Shade and cooler temperatures
• Recreation spaces

Community:

• Tree planting brings people together
• Sense of environmental responsibility
• Legacy for future generations

Kenya’s Forest Cover Challenge

Current Status:

• About 7% forest cover
• Was much higher decades ago
• Deforestation continues (though slowed)

Government Goal:

• Achieve 10% forest cover by 2030
• Restore degraded forests
• Protect existing forests

The 15 Billion Trees Campaign:

• Ambitious goal launched by government
• Plant 15 billion trees to restore ecosystems
• All Kenyans encouraged to participate

Major Tree Planting Initiatives

National Government Programs

15 Billion Trees Campaign:

What It Is:

• National campaign to plant 15 billion trees
• Led by Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
• Target: Restore 10% forest cover and beyond

How to Participate:

• National tree planting days (announced regularly)
• Schools, communities, institutions participate
• Seedlings provided free during campaigns
• Plant on your land, community land, schools, public spaces (with permission)

When:

• Major planting events during rainy seasons (April-May, October-November)
• Ongoing throughout year

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Programs:

Shamba System (Farm-Forest System):

• Community members farm in forest plantations
• While farming, they care for young trees
• Win-win: Income for communities, forest protection
• Apply through KFS county offices

Community Forest Associations (CFAs):

• Community groups managing forests
• Tree planting as part of conservation
• Benefit sharing from forest resources
• Join CFA in your area

School Greening Program:

• Every school encouraged to plant trees
• KFS provides seedlings
• Students learn conservation

Green Zones Initiative:

• Planting trees in public spaces
• Parks, roadsides, institutions
• Beautification and environmental benefit

County Government Programs

Many Counties Have Tree Planting Targets:

What Counties Do:

• Distribute free seedlings
• Organize county planting days
• Support community tree nurseries
• Tree planting in county facilities

How to Participate:

• Check with county environment office
• Attend county events
• Request seedlings for community projects

Examples:

• Some counties have targets like “1 million trees”
• Regular campaigns during planting seasons

Non-Governmental Organizations

Green Belt Movement:

Founded By: Late Prof. Wangari Maathai (Nobel Laureate)

What They Do:

• Community tree planting
• Tree nurseries
• Women’s empowerment through tree planting
• Environmental education

How to Join:

• Contact Green Belt Movement
• Join community groups affiliated
• Participate in events
• Website: www.greenbeltmovement.org

Other NGOs:

• Kenya Tree Growers Association (KENTIMBER)
• Various environmental NGOs
• Religious organizations (churches, mosques have programs)
• International NGOs (World Wildlife Fund, etc.)

Corporate and Private Sector

Many Companies Have Tree Planting Programs:

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Employee volunteering
• Offsetting carbon emissions
• Supporting national goals

Examples:

• Banks (KCB, Equity, etc.)
• Telcos (Safaricom, Airtel)
• Manufacturing companies
• Check company websites for opportunities

School and Youth Programs

Schools:

• Tree planting part of environmental education
• Each student plants tree(s)
• School forests and gardens
• Competitions between schools

Youth Groups:

• Environmental clubs
• Youth-led planting initiatives
• National Youth Service (NYS) sometimes involved in tree planting

How to Participate:

• If student: Join school environment club
• If youth: Start or join youth environmental group
• Attend national tree planting days

Getting Seedlings

Free Seedlings

Kenya Forest Service:

When Available:

• During national tree planting campaigns
• Planting seasons

Where to Get:

• KFS offices (county and regional)
• Distribution points during campaigns
• Schools receive allocations

Types Available:

• Indigenous tree species
• Exotic species (eucalyptus, cypress, pines)
• Fruit trees sometimes

How to Get:

• Visit KFS office during campaigns
• Request in advance for large numbers
• Community groups can request bulk
• Sometimes delivered to planting sites

County Governments:

• Free or highly subsidized seedlings
• Check with county environment office
• Announcements during planting seasons

NGOs:

• Green Belt Movement and others
• Free for community projects
• Training often included

Buying Seedlings

If Free Not Available or You Want Specific Types:

KFS Tree Nurseries:

• Sell seedlings year-round
• Prices: KES 5-30 per seedling (depending on type and size)
• Quality seedlings
• Locations in many counties

Private Nurseries:

• Agrovet shops
• Garden centers
• Specialized tree nurseries
• Prices vary: KES 10-100+ per seedling

What Affects Price:

• Tree type (indigenous often more expensive)
• Size (bigger seedlings cost more)
• Demand and season

Starting Your Own Tree Nursery

Community or Individual:

Why Start Nursery:

• Ensure seedlings available when needed
• Income opportunity (sell seedlings)
• Control over tree types
• Community service

Basic Requirements:

• Small space (even 10m x 10m can produce thousands)
• Water source
• Seeds or cuttings
• Potting soil
• Containers (pots, tubes, or plastic bags)
• Shade structure
• Knowledge and care

Cost:

• Small nursery: KES 10,000-50,000 startup
• Can grow quickly

Where to Learn:

• KFS offers training
• County agriculture/forestry officers
• Online resources
• NGOs

Seeds:

• Collect from mature trees (free)
• Buy from KFS or seed suppliers
• Community seed banks

What Trees to Plant

Indigenous vs. Exotic

Indigenous Trees (Native to Kenya):

Advantages:

• Adapted to local conditions
• Support local wildlife and biodiversity
• Often don’t need much care once established
• Culturally significant
• Preserve genetic heritage

Examples:

• Meru oak (Vitex keniensis)
• Muhugu (Erythrina abyssinica)
• Mugumo (Ficus thonningii) - sacred to many communities
• Cedar (Juniperus procera)
• Croton (Croton megalocarpus)
• Mukima (Prunus africana)
• Baobab (in suitable areas)

Where to Get:

• KFS indigenous tree program
• Specialized nurseries
• Conservation organizations

Exotic Trees (Introduced from Elsewhere):

Advantages:

• Often fast-growing
• Timber value
• Readily available

Examples:

• Eucalyptus (widely planted, fast-growing, water-demanding)
• Cypress (timber, fencing)
• Pines (timber, poles)
• Grevillea (poles, fast-growing)

Concerns:

• Some are water-intensive (eucalyptus)
• Can be invasive
• May not support local wildlife
• Monocultures reduce biodiversity

Best Practice:

• Mix indigenous and exotic
• Choose species suited to your purpose and location
• Avoid planting water-intensive trees near water sources

Fruit Trees

Dual Benefit (Environment + Food/Income):

Common Fruit Trees:

• Mango
• Avocado
• Orange, lemon, other citrus
• Guava
• Papaya (technically tree-like)
• Macadamia (nut, also valuable)
• Passion fruit (vine, but often included in tree programs)

Benefits:

• Nutritious food
• Income from selling
• Environmental benefits
• Popular with communities

Considerations:

• Take longer to mature (3-5 years for fruit)
• May need more care (pruning, pest control)
• Water requirements

Trees for Specific Purposes

Firewood/Charcoal (if sustainable):

• Eucalyptus
• Acacia
• Cassia
• Coppicing trees (regrow after cutting)

Timber:

• Cypress
• Cedar
• Grevillea
• Pines

Soil Improvement (Nitrogen-Fixing):

• Sesbania
• Leucaena
• Calliandra
• Acacia species
• Great for agroforestry

Windbreak:

• Tall, dense trees
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus
• Casuarina

Shade:

• Large-canopy trees
• Mango
• Avocado
• Indigenous fig species

Matching Tree to Location

Consider:

Climate:

• Rainfall (some trees need more water)
• Temperature (highland vs lowland species)
• Altitude

Soil:

• Some trees tolerate poor soil
• Others need fertile soil

Purpose:

• What do you want from the tree?
• Environmental, economic, both?

Space:

• How big will tree grow?
• Adequate space?
• Avoid planting too close to buildings or power lines

Ask for Advice:

• KFS officers
• County agricultural extension officers
• Experienced farmers

How to Plant Trees Successfully

Best Time to Plant

Rainy Season (Best):

• Just before or at start of rains
• Two rainy seasons in most of Kenya:
  • Long rains: March-May
  • Short rains: October-December

Why Rainy Season:

• Trees need water to establish
• Reduces need for watering
• Higher survival rate

Planting in Dry Season:

• Possible with irrigation
• More work (must water regularly)
• Lower survival rate

Site Selection

Choose Right Spot:

Full Sun (for most trees):

• At least 6 hours sunlight daily
• Some trees tolerate shade

Adequate Space:

• Consider mature size
• Don’t crowd trees
• Distance from buildings, roads, power lines

Good Soil:

• Well-draining (not waterlogged)
• If poor soil, improve with compost/manure

Access to Water (especially first months):

• Near water source if possible
• Plan for watering

Planting Steps

1. Prepare Seedling:

• Choose healthy seedling (green leaves, straight stem, no pests)
• Water seedling day before planting
• Handle gently

2. Dig Hole:

• About 60cm x 60cm x 60cm (2 feet each dimension)
• Larger for bigger seedlings
• Separate topsoil and subsoil

3. Improve Soil:

• Mix topsoil with compost or manure
• Improves fertility and drainage

4. Plant:

• Remove seedling from container carefully (don’t break root ball)
• Place in center of hole
• Seedling should be at same depth as it was in container (or slightly deeper)
• Fill hole with improved soil
• Firm soil gently around seedling
• Don’t pack too tightly (roots need air)

5. Water Immediately:

• Thoroughly water after planting
• Helps settle soil and provides moisture

6. Mulch:

• Place grass, leaves, or other organic material around base
• Circle about 30cm radius
• 5-10cm thick
• Don’t let mulch touch stem (can cause rot)
• Benefits: Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, adds nutrients

7. Stake if Necessary:

• For larger seedlings or windy areas
• Drive stake into ground beside tree
• Tie stem loosely to stake
• Remove stake after 6-12 months

8. Protect:

• If animals present, fence or guard tree
• Can use thorny branches around base
• Or small wire fence

Caring for Young Trees

Watering:

First Few Weeks (Critical):

• Water every 2-3 days if no rain
• 10-20 liters per tree
• Deep watering (encourage deep roots)

First 3 Months:

• Water weekly if no rain
• Gradually reduce frequency

After 6 Months-1 Year:

• Established trees usually don’t need watering (except drought)
• Depends on species and rainfall

Weeding:

• Keep area around tree free of weeds (compete for water and nutrients)
• Weed circle of about 1 meter radius
• Especially important first year

Mulching:

• Maintain mulch layer
• Replenish as it decomposes

Pest and Disease Control:

• Check regularly for pests (insects, caterpillars)
• Diseases (fungal spots, wilting)
• Early intervention important
• Natural methods preferred
• Consult extension officer for serious issues

Pruning (later):

• Remove dead or diseased branches
• Shape tree for strength
• Depends on tree type and purpose
• Learn proper techniques

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Planting in Dry Season Without Irrigation:

   • Trees die

2. Planting Too Close:

   • Trees compete, grow poorly
   • Can damage structures

3. Not Watering Enough Initially:

   • Tree dries out and dies

4. Planting Wrong Species for Location:

   • Tree struggles or fails

5. Forgetting to Protect from Animals:

   • Goats, cows eat young trees

6. Neglecting After Planting:

   • “Plant and forget” doesn’t work
   • Need care for at least first year

Tree Planting Events

National Tree Planting Days

When: Announced by government, usually during planting seasons

What Happens:

• Mass planting events across country
• President and leaders often participate
• Communities, schools, institutions mobilized
• Seedlings distributed
• Media coverage

How to Participate:

• Watch for announcements (news, social media)
• Join event in your area
• Or organize own event on the day

Community Tree Planting

Organize in Your Community:

Steps:

1. Mobilize neighbors, youth, groups
2. Identify planting sites (public land, school, roadside - get permission)
3. Get seedlings (KFS, county, buy, or raise own)
4. Choose date (rainy season)
5. Prepare tools (hoes, spades, water containers)
6. Execute planting
7. Assign care responsibilities

Benefits:

• Community bonding
• Environmental impact
• Local ownership (more likely to survive)

Corporate Volunteering

Many Companies Organize:

• Employee tree planting days
• Team building + environmental benefit

How to Participate:

• If employed, suggest to your company
• Join companies’ public events (some open to community)

Tracking and Monitoring

Why Monitor?

Survival Rate:

• Track how many trees survive
• Learn what works and what doesn’t
• Improve future efforts

Growth:

• Monitor growth over time
• Identify problems early

Impact:

• See results of your work
• Motivates continued effort

Simple Monitoring

For Individual Trees:

• Note planting date
• Check regularly (weekly first months, then monthly)
• Record health (alive, healthy, struggling, dead)
• Measure growth (height) periodically
• Take photos

For Mass Planting:

• Count trees planted
• Sample checking (check portion, estimate overall)
• Community reports

Technology

Apps and Platforms:

• Some organizations use apps to track tree planting
• GPS location
• Photo upload
• Survival tracking

Example: Kenya Forest Service has Dakatari wa Miti (Tree Doctor) for reporting tree issues.

Long-Term Tree Care and Benefits

Years 1-3

Most Critical:

• Monitor regularly
• Water during droughts
• Weed competition
• Protect from animals

Survival:

• After 3 years, most trees well-established
• Less care needed

Mature Trees (5+ Years)

Benefits Increase:

• Fuller canopy (more shade, more carbon absorption)
• Fruits (if fruit trees)
• Habitat for birds and wildlife

Care:

• Pruning (as needed)
• Pest control (occasional)
• Generally low maintenance

Harvesting (if applicable)

Timber/Poles:

• Sustainable harvesting (don’t clear-cut)
• Selective cutting
• Replant after harvesting

Fruits:

• Annual harvest
• Income and nutrition

Firewood:

• Pruned branches
• Or coppicing species (cut, regrows)

Legacy

Trees Outlive Us:

• Planting tree is gift to future
• Grandchildren will benefit
• Living monument

Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Low Survival Rates

Causes:

• Insufficient watering
• Poor planting technique
• Pests and diseases
• Animal damage
• Wrong species for location

Solutions:

• Proper training
• Adequate care especially first year
• Protection measures
• Choose appropriate species

Challenge: Land Availability

Urban Areas:

• Limited private space

Solutions:

• Public spaces (with permission)
• Schools, churches, community centers
• Roadside planting
• Vertical gardening (not trees, but greenery)

Rural Areas:

• Competition with agriculture

Solutions:

• Agroforestry (trees with crops/livestock)
• Boundary planting
• Woodlots (dedicated tree plots)

Challenge: Lack of Seedlings

Solutions:

• Plan ahead (request from KFS in advance)
• Start community nursery
• Buy from private nurseries

Challenge: Maintenance

Solutions:

• Assign responsibility (individual, group, class)
• Community monitoring
• Adopt-a-tree programs

Climate and Carbon Benefits

Trees and Climate Change

Carbon Sequestration:

• Trees absorb CO2 from atmosphere
• Store carbon in wood and soil
• One tree can absorb about 22kg CO2 per year (varies by species and size)

15 Billion Trees Impact:

• If successful, huge carbon sink
• Significant contribution to climate mitigation

Carbon Credits

Emerging Opportunity:

• Carbon markets allow selling carbon credits
• Communities and landowners with trees can benefit
• Complex process, but growing

Requirements:

• Large-scale tree planting
• Monitoring and verification
• Registration with standards bodies

More Info:

• Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
• Specialized carbon project developers

Conclusion

Tree planting is one of the most impactful actions individuals and communities can take for Kenya’s environment and future. With the national goal of 15 billion trees and 10% forest cover, every Kenyan’s participation matters.

Trees provide immediate benefits - income from fruits and timber, soil conservation, shade - and long-term benefits for climate, water, and biodiversity. Planting is accessible: seedlings are often free, the process is simple, and opportunities abound through government programs, NGOs, schools, and community initiatives.

Success requires more than planting, though. Care for trees, especially the first year, determines survival. Choose appropriate species, plant during rainy seasons, water and weed regularly, and protect from animals. Monitoring ensures your efforts bear fruit.

Whether you plant one tree in your compound or participate in mass planting events, you contribute to a greener, healthier, more resilient Kenya. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today. Get seedlings, prepare your site, and plant. Your legacy grows from the ground.