At a glance
Counting seedlings is not enough
Tree planting is one of the most popular sustainability activities because it is visible, photogenic and easy to communicate. But visibility is not impact. A seedling planted for a photo can die within months if species selection, watering, protection and community ownership are weak.
The question should not be how many trees were planted. The question should be how many survived and what ecological value they created.
Why this matters
The real measure is not seedlings planted. It is survival, biodiversity value, community ownership and long-term restoration.
Restoration needs local logic
The right tree in the wrong place can create problems. Restoration should consider native species, water availability, soil conditions, biodiversity, land use and community priorities.
This requires technical guidance. Sustainability teams should work with foresters, ecologists, local groups and land managers rather than treating planting days as public relations events.
Communities decide survival
Long-term survival depends on people near the site. If communities see no value, seedlings are neglected or removed. If they see benefit, trees are protected.
Community ownership can include employment, agroforestry value, water catchment protection, education and shared monitoring.
Reporting should include survival rates
Companies should report survival rates, species planted, location, maintenance plans and restoration partners. Where trees fail, they should explain why and what changed.
Honest reporting builds more credibility than perfect-sounding numbers.
What to fix first
Stop treating tree planting as a one-day event. Budget for three years of maintenance and monitoring. Without that, the campaign is not restoration; it is photography.
