FAQs - Tree-Nation



What is Tree-Nation about?


Please read the Projects page to learn more about what we do.



Which criterias do we consider when opening a new plantation?


We are receiving a lot of demands to consider plantation projects all around the world. Our objective is to open one or 2 new plantations per year and we thus select our projects very carefully.

Our priority is to make sure that the planting projects we build are positive in every possible way. We could almost say it's always good to plant a tree. But if we plant it in the right place and in the right conditions it might do an even better job for our planet.

That is why we prioritize countries where the need is higher: where there is a need to fight against deforestation, desertification or for providing accessibility to water.

It is important to know that in many countries, forests are well managed and their deforestation is compensated by equal reforestation. This happens today in most European countries. Our planting efforts there would not make sense.

In general southern countries are facing higher deforestation problems.

Following are some of the criteria that we look at when considering a project
- A certain level of existing infrastructure
- A need for reforestation due to desertification, deforestation
- A professional local team with a high level of experience in operating in the region
- Relatively easy access to the plantation
- Positive economic benefits of the plantation for the local population (fruits, leaves, agricultural benefits)
- A rigorous choice of species
- A suited geological terrain
- Comprehension for the benefits of a project, as well as engagement and interest on the part of the local population.
- The support of local government entities

We refuse the following:
- Monocultures
- The cutting of the trees without replacement
- All other conditions that do not confine with our plantation methods (see below).



I am a planter. Can I apply my project to become a Tree-Nation plantation?


If you have a tree planting project that you would like to submit to us, you will find an application form here.



Who owns the trees?


Not you, not us, but the people living near the plantation. This can either be some small local landowners or villages. In both cases you are helping the local economy and creating incomes and jobs.

Tree-Nation considers every single tree not as a donation put rather as micro-credit (of course without there being any money that has to be paid back). The reason for our approach comes from the fact that we want to assure that landowners or villages that plant with us have a real interest in the trees. Either we ask them for economic* implication (in the case of the landowners) or in the case of the villages physical implication (during the plantation period).

The landowners and villages remain the proprietors of the land and they can benefit from the positive effects the trees (fruits, leaves, Arabic gum, positive effects on other vegetation, etc…)

An integral part of this approach is the fact that all the trees planted produce something of value.

We use a progressive method in the sense that we increase on a yearly basis the trees we plant with a given village or landowner (we assure that there is sufficient demand and that our partners comply to our standards). We would immediately stop planting with a given village or landowner if this would not be the case.

One of the most important conditions we impose is that the trees are not allowed to be cut.

* As an example a landowner would be asked to help pay for fencing-in his terrain



What are Tree-Nation planting methods?


The Technique
• Tree-Nation uses natural planting methods, avoiding chemical fertilisers, with or without irrigation depending on particular climates and the type of species.

Our methods aim to be realistic and reproducible in the country concerned. We seek to extend these methods across the country by “setting a good example”. At each planting location, we search for the best possible planting period and use specific digging techniques according to the morphology of the land. This guarantees that we get the best possible results and ensures that the trees grow properly. In particular, we are careful to ensure that the tree receives an adequate supply of water.

Choice of species
• We plant local species and always favour species that meet the criteria set for the project. For our plantation in Niger, the objective of which is to combat desertification and poverty, out of the 3000 local tree species available we discounted all but 400 species which were suitable in terms of production. Of these 400, we then selected a range of some thirty or so species whose production (fruit, other foods, fodder and medicine) will help raise significant funds for local populations. One hectare of tree-planted land is more profitable than a hectare of land being used for agricultural purposes. This allows for optimum harvesting of the land and trees, heightening the positive impact on local communities.

Active Participation
• Niger Project: Following a trial plantation, we are looking to plant on land in all of the villages in the region. Whether or not we plant in a location is contingent on the people’s active participation in and commitment to the project, because the future of a plantation largely depends on the interest demonstrated in it by the owners. For this reason, each participating village is asked to carry out a series of preparatory tasks.
We provide the villages with technical supervision and all of the necessary support material. We also provide them with the plants, raised in our nursery, and help the people to plant them. Similarly, we are involved in all of the maintenance and pruning operations, as well as in the trees’ production phase.

Agroforestry
• Wherever possible – depending on the nature of the terrain - Tree-Nation favours the use of agroforestry.

This is the “oldest science in the world”, which consists of combining agriculture and tree plantation on a single plot of land. This method makes it possible to increase crop productivity, since crops are sheltered from the wind and the sun (thanks to the shade provided by the trees) and enjoy better access to water (thanks to the drainage of the water table by the tree roots). And we mustn’t forget the trees’ nitrogen-fixing effects, which increase the nutrients in the soil.

At the same time, this technique helps improve the growth of the trees, which enjoy more attention from the villagers and benefit from the biodiversity of this more nutrient soil.

The Upkeep
• Permanent maintenance work is done on the plantations. Important tasks include replanting missions for any trees that don’t survive, pruning trees to improve their growth, monitoring trees’ health, and harvesting their products.

Professionalism
• Tree-Nation always uses a comprehensive professional team.

Our teams include researchers, technicians, nurserymen and women, forest engineers and plantation controllers. Tree-Nation also favours “local implementation” by giving jobs to local people.

Furthermore, our plantations are open to Tree-Nation members. They can join us to discover them and plant with us. If they opt for the latter option, they will be supervised by our team, who will teach them all of the necessary techniques and make sure they have an unforgettable experience. Know more



Is Tree-nation internationally recognised?


It is always a challenge for a young structure to be recognized. After only two years in existence Tree-Nation already gained the support of the UNEP (United Nation Environment Programme), maybe the most authoritative entity in matters of the environment.

Also many companies joined to support us. See Our Partners

Many blogs, magazines and newspapers support us by writing about us. Press Room : our trees are famous!

We count on more than 250.000 registred users from our community website and Facebook application. Now it’s your turn to Spread the word!



How is my money spent when I buy a tree?


Wisely of course! Tree-Nation does not get any profit from the sales of the trees. 100% of your money goes to the tree planting project, which includes administrative costs as is usual in any organisation.

Tree-Nation wants to keep costs low and direct the biggest possible amount to the plantation.

That's why we virtually never pay for advertising and we avoid any offline costs.

Tree-Nation took the decision to make most of its investment in its Internet strategy and grow a community that helps spreading the world about its tree planting projects. We believe in automatic communication procedures to avoid recurrent costs. With more than 130.000 references in Google we can proudly say that we are getting our projects known with a very small cost.

Also, Tree-Nation is a young structure and thanks to our investment strategy we plant each year more and more trees. We can therefore spread our costs and reduce the prices of the tree year on year.

When you buy a tree, there is also a small percentage of your money (15%) that goes into aggregating new planting projects. We believe it's important to have a continuation in our action and a global reach.



Can I visit the plantations?


Yes. It’s part of our philosophy to welcome members from our community to join us during the plantation period and to get their hands dirty on the field.

Have a look at the stories of the Tree-Nation members who joined us so far: Etienne, Peter, Eleonore.

Your next opportunity to join us will come during planting season in our Niger plantation (july 2010). Contact us and get ready for a new experience!



Can my company plant trees?


Tree-Nation has been made for everybody that wants to plant. If you want to involve your company in one of our planting programs, please learn more in our Partners section.



How can I convince my company to participate in your projects?


We thought we could give you a hand by writing a nice letter to your boss. We've done the hard part! So now, the only thing you have to do is to download the "Boss Letter" and either send him/her the email version or leave the print version on his/her desk. (If you use this last one, please follow the folding instructions carefully!)

You can add a bit of perfume to it or one or two of his/her favorite wrapped chocolates to be more convincing. After all, it's for the planet!




FAQs - List

About Tree-Nation