Forests cover around 4.14 billion hectares of the Earth’s surface, roughly one third of the planet’s total land area. Yet deforestation continues to make headlines worldwide, driven by demand for timber, agricultural expansion, grazing, and construction.
There is, however, reason for cautious optimism. The FAO’s 2025 Global Forest Resources Assessment reports that global deforestation has slowed over the past decade, signalling that conservation efforts and better land management are beginning to have an impact.
More than half of the world’s forests are now covered by long-term management plans, and one fifth are in legally protected areas.
Across the world, agroforestry, reforestation, and re-greening initiatives are gaining momentum. From Africa’s Great Green Wall to the regeneration of native woodlands on rural Scottish islands, projects large and small are working to bring degraded landscapes back to life. These efforts go beyond planting trees. They aim to protect habitats, store carbon, and deliver tangible community benefits, including income generation, improved food security, and greater resilience to climate change.
Tree nurseries at the centre of success
Whether a reforestation project is small-scale and community led, or a large national programme, tree nurseries producing strong seedlings are an essential part. We’ve seen these pockets of growth in our work with farmers across the world. Growing, nurturing and producing the next generation of forests.
🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/QUvJlr698Q0
Tree nurseries face very similar challenges to any horticulture, from reliable water access leading to seedling survival rates, to labour and energy costs and vulnerability to climatic changes.
This led us to wonder…
Can solar irrigation fit into reforestation efforts?
And it’s a resounding yes!
Many tree nurseries are in remote areas without easy access to fuel or grid power. As long as there is a reliable water supply, or provision for harvesting rainwater, this means a portable solar water pump is a perfect solution to get water to the young trees.
As we’ve said above, at the heart of these projects is carbon sequestration and climate adaptation. A tree nursery using a fuel powered pump to irrigate the saplings is a contradiction to this. Whereas, moving water with renewable solar energy fits this perfectly. No local air pollution, no additional greenhouse gases, no risk of land contamination with fuel or oil spills.
But there are so many benefits beyond carbon:
- Irrigation enables predictable watering – essential at the beginning of a tree’s life
- An irrigation pump reduces the labour required for watering, this enables farmers to save money or focus their efforts on other areas of the farm
- Durable irrigation pumps with long warranties and zero fuel costs also help with farm management as the costs are known
Highlighting projects from around the world:
On the large scale we’ve seen fantastic projects with ambitious tree planting targets, here are just a few for you to take a look at if you would like to learn more:
Great Green Wall – Goal to plant 8,000 kms of trees across 22 African countries by 2030
One Acre Fund – 1 billion trees target – aim to plant 1 billion trees by 2030. In 2024 a Kenya farmer planted the 250 millionth tree
Ecosia – Trees against poverty and malnutrition – Senegal – 19,190,000 trees planted since 2018
But impact can happen on the small-scale too. Futurepump solar pumps are supporting small-scale tree growers in projects like:
Hakima Muhammed’s tree nursery, Kenya – income generation and expansion to 250,000 tree seedling capacity
Phil, a carpenter and rewilder, UK – After many years in the woodwork trade, Phil wanted to bring back to life some of the wood he’s used. He now uses an SF2H to irrigate his orchard
Want to be part of the reforestation mission and start up a tree nursery of your own? Here our the things you must consider:
How much water do tree seedlings need?
Tree seedlings need consistent, deep watering for the first 1-3 years – so you should aim for 20-50 litres per tree per week.
What’s the best way to irrigate a tree nursery?
Gentle hosepipe or sprinkler irrigation works well for very small seedlings, as the saplings develop and are planted out you can shift to drip. Don’t just water at the base of the tree, but try to keep the ground moist from trunk to end of branches. Keep this area moist, but not wet as the water absorbing roots of a tree are in the top two feet of soil.
How long should seedlings stay in a nursery?
This depends on the tree variety, but it is generally recommended to wait until the saplings’ roots fill the container you are growing them in. This is a few weeks to months.
What is the best time of day to water a new planted tree?
In the morning before the sun is too high in the sky as this helps with the water seeping into the ground before it evaporates.
Which is the most common mistake made when planting saplings?
Planting too deep or too shallow really impacts on the tree’s growth. Tree roots need oxygen, so plant them too deep and they cannot reach this vital resource. However, if you plant too shallow then the roots can dry out or be damaged by surface compaction.
You also want to make sure that the tree trunk is adequately protected from animals such as deer.
What needs to be considered when setting up a tree nursery?
Site selection is key. You need water, so a reliable water source or rainwater capture is essential. Also a good irrigation system to be able to move that water.
Soil – a well drained, deep loam soil is good for most trees.
Aspect and shelter – most trees love a bit of morning sun, but we don’t want the ground to completely dry out so afternoon shade might be needed. It’s important to provide shelter from strong winds to protect the young stems from snapping.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Reforestation is a long-term investment. But the work that is being put in today will last for centuries to come. We’re proud to play our part in this essential work.
Reforestation isn’t just about trees. It’s about restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and creating lasting opportunities for people and communities. Projects that balance nature, people, and practicality plant the seeds for a sustainable future.
If you’re working on a tree-growing project and weighing different irrigation options, we’re happy to provide case studies or help with sizing your system. Please reach out to us with any questions you have.