🌍 Where to plant: choosing regions based on impact

The tropical zone is the most suitable planting location to fight climate change and deforestation. But trees can offer valuable benefits almost everywhere, from reversing desertification to restoring biodiversity or supporting local communities.

This article helps you understand why Tree-Nation prioritizes the tropics, and how to select the best planting regions for your impact goals.

🌴 Why we prioritize the tropics

The tropical zone, located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, is the most powerful region for climate action through reforestation.

1. Maximum CO₂ capture

• Trees in the tropics receive more sunlight and grow year-round, capturing CO₂ faster.

• Reforestation here removes more carbon per tree than in colder regions.

2. Biodiversity hotspot

• Around 85% of all terrestrial biodiversity lives in the tropics.

• Deforestation in these areas pushes countless species toward extinction.

• Planting trees here protects rainforests and the life they support.

3. Highest rates of deforestation

• Most remaining deforestation now happens in tropical countries.

• Local governments often lack resources to enforce forest protection.

• Reforestation here is bo

• th urgent and impactful.

4. Highest social impact

• Tropical regions are home to many of the world’s low-income communities.

• People here often lack the financial or political resources to protect their forests.

• Reforestation not only restores ecosystems but also provides vital jobs, promotes food security, and strengthens local resilience.

• Planting the right tree species is crucial to ensuring long-term environmental and social benefits.

🏜️ What about other regions?

While the tropics are our focus, other regions also deserve attention based on local benefits:

🌾 Arid & Desert areas

• Not ideal for carbon capture due to slow growth.

• However, trees here reverse desertification, prevent famine, and improve soil.

• Deep-rooted species help fight erosion and bring long-term resilience.

• These areas are also home to some of the world’s poorest communities, where reforestation can significantly boost livelihoods and food security.

🌍 Europe, North America & Developed Countries

• Forest areas are mostly increasing, not shrinking.

• Trees grow slowly — meaning less CO₂ absorbed per year.

• But reforestation supports pollinator recovery (read the Insect Apocalypse), agroforestry, and urban greening where needed.

🔥 Fire-affected regions (e.g. Brazil, Australia)

• Media attention spikes during wildfires.

• Long-term solutions — not just post-disaster planting — are essential.

• We plant in these areas but focus on sustainable regeneration, not short-term headlines.
  
  

🌳 In summary

While trees are needed everywhere, the tropics offer the most powerful opportunity to tackle climate change, protect biodiversity, and uplift communities. That’s why we prioritize these regions — but your impact can be tailored to your values through our project selection tools.