It may seem petty, but Silvica believes that a difference exists between tree planting and tree growing. As such, you will find that most of our articles emphasize growing trees instead of planting trees. 

In the real sense, there is a distinction between tree planting and tree growing. While tree planting alludes to an event, tree growing is a process. Tree planting refers to the event of taking a seedling and putting it in the soil. After that, the tree planting is done. Tree planting is common, especially on days like World Environmental Days and International Day of Forests. It is usual for people to plant trees on these days and forget about them.

Worse still, some projects would charge people for tree planting and leave the tree there to battle with the harsh environment. While in the field, trees face competition with other plants, predation from herbivores, and extreme weather conditions. 

Planting out activities should go beyond the actual tree planting. Tree husbandry activities after actual planting include weeding, watering, and protection from pests and diseases. Traditional tree planting activities end when the seedling is planted in the ground.

In contrast, tree growing is an investment as trees are long term projects. In tropical areas of Africa, such as East Africa, the fastest-growing trees will take at least three years to mature. But most tree species will take around 8-15 years. It refers to management throughout the life of the tree.

We want governments, organizations, and research centers to focus on tree growing instead of tree planting. It also involves an aspect of protecting and providing nutrients for the tree seedling beyond the planting stage.

That is not to say that the traditional tree planting does not work. However, it needs a great deal of good timing and luck for success. 

Tree growing is one of the most pragmatic approaches to dealing with the challenges in climate change. The fact that plants absorb carbon dioxide in their growth means that they could assist in containing some of the carbon produced from human activities.

Tree planting is not only the easiest way of dealing with the climate crisis, but it is also among the cheapest. Suitable tree species could be strategically planted in areas without encroaching on cropland or urban areas. It is vital that tree growing activities avoid competition with food crops. Moreover, reforestation projects are more successful if they respect the local culture’s practices and avoid monoculture plantation forests.