Restoring nature where it’s needed most
Across 20+ countries, Treeapp designs every project around its local landscape, using native species, working with local communities and monitoring for the long term.
The measurable impact of our approach tracked across projects in 20+ countries.
No single planting method works everywhere. Treeapp’s process stay consistent, but species, site preparation, planting density & monitoring are adapted to each ecosystem.
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Trees are planted alongside agricultural crops, so the land supports farming, biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Our approach:
We select species that complement existing agricultural activity, including fruit and nut trees for food and income, and nitrogen-fixing species that improve soil fertility for surrounding crops.
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Salt-tolerant mangroves are restored along coasts and tidal flats, where tides and saltwater shape every planting decision.
Our approach:
Mangrove propagules (naturally sprouting seedlings) are planted directly into silt or first grown in nearby nurseries. Species and planting spots are chosen around tides, salinity and the marine ecosystem.
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Seeds are sown directly into prepared land, instead of planting individual saplings grown in a nursery.
Our approach:
We use Muvuca, a direct seeding method in which up to 60 native species are sown together into prepared ground at the start of the rainy season, when moisture is at its most reliable for germination and early growth.
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Following Akira Miyawaki’s method, native trees are packed densely into small areas for fast, natural growth.
Our approach:
Trees are planted far more densely than in standard woodland creation. Species of different sizes and canopy layers are mixed closely together, encouraging fast vertical growth and a varied structure.
From the first site assessment to long-term monitoring, every Treeapp project follows the same five stages, adapted to each landscape.
Analysis before action
Before Treeapp designs a planting scheme, we build a detailed evidence base for the site. Field observations are combined with environmental and spatial datasets to understand what can be planted, which parts of the site are suitable and how it is likely to change over time.
Our assessment covers the physical environment (soil, terrain and moisture), the ecological context (existing vegetation, habitats, canopy cover and invasive species) and site constraints (current land use, protected areas and statutory requirements).
We also use meteorological and climate data to understand rainfall, flood risk and drought risk. Together, this evidence shapes the next stage: selecting species and designing a planting approach suited to that landscape.
Our teams draw on field data alongside specialist mapping and environmental datasets. In the UK, these can include DEFRA MAGIC maps, LandIS soil data and Google Earth terrain data. In other countries, we use the national equivalents.
Soil pH, texture, organic matter and moisture show which species will thrive, and where on the site they should go.
Slopes, valleys and low-lying ground affect drainage, exposure and access, shaping where trees are planted and how the site is laid out.
Surveys of current plants, wildlife and habitats establish what vegetation is currently thriving; our planting is then designed to complement it.
Rainfall, flood risk and future temperature projections help us choose species that can cope with conditions in the decades ahead.
Existing land use, protected landscapes and statutory requirements define where and how planting can take place.
Species, structure & resilience
Once we understand the site, we use that evidence to decide which species to plant, where on the site and at what density.
Species are selected based on how well they match local conditions, such as soil, moisture and climate, and the ecological role they can play within the wider habitat. Where relevant, we also consider how they are expected to perform as the climate changes.
We plant diverse mixes of native, endemic and non-invasive species, creating forests that are naturally more resilient to pests and disease. Planting density is then tailored to each ecosystem and restoration goal. In UK woodland creation, trees are typically spaced 2–4 metres apart, depending on the species.
The result is a planting design built for the site’s conditions today and in the decades ahead.
Our planting designs draw on recognised species databases, ecological research and climate data, such as Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and academic studies.
Each species’ tolerance to soil pH, texture, moisture and shade is matched against the site assessment, identifying the species mix most likely to thrive.
Where appropriate, we prioritise species able to tolerate current local pressures, such as drought, waterlogging or salinity.
Mixing species of different sizes, growth rates and canopy layers mimics the natural composition of a woodland.
Tree density is designed according to the target ecosystem and restoration objective rather than using a single planting density everywhere.
We consider how conditions may change over the next 10–30 years, helping us select species that are more likely to remain suitable as the climate changes.
Local provenance & healthy stock
With the planting design agreed, we source and grow the trees needed for that specific site.
Depending on the project, trees are raised from seed in nearby community-run nurseries or sourced as saplings of local provenance from trusted nursery suppliers. This ensures planting material is suited to the environment and healthy enough to establish once planted.
Trees can spend different amounts of time in the nursery depending on the species. During this period, we monitor how successfully seeds germinate and whether saplings are developing the root systems and stem strength needed to support healthy growth after planting.
The result is that the trees are locally suited, well rooted and ready for the conditions they will face on site.
Some species, including fruit trees, need longer in the nursery before they’re ready to plant. In the UK, we prioritise nurseries within around 100 miles of the site, and all suppliers must hold Plant Healthy certification or an EU Plant Passport.
We source trees from local nurseries. This means the saplings are already adapted to the region’s climate and soils, giving them a better chance of establishing after planting.
We source certified, healthy stock as it reduces the risk of introducing pests or disease to the site and the surrounding landscape.
For seed-grown trees, germination rate helps us understand how successfully seeds are developing into viable saplings.
We assess whether young trees are developing suitable root architecture to support nutrient uptake and successful establishment after planting.
Growth indicators such as stem and root-collar (where the stem meets the roots) development help determine whether a sapling is strong enough to be planted.
Timing, technique & protection
When trees are ready to leave the nursery, they are planted at the time of year that gives them the best chance of establishing.
This is typically when conditions provide enough moisture to support early growth. On site, the quality of the planting itself matters: correct root placement, the right planting depth and good contact between roots and soil all help reduce stress on the young tree.
Species are positioned to suit their preferred conditions, such as placing moisture-loving species closer to watercourses. Competing or invasive vegetation can be removed to give young trees space and resources, and where deer, wild boar or other wildlife pose a risk, trees are protected with guards, stakes or fencing.
Planting is carried out by foresters, arboriculturists and trained local community members, and sites are inspected once planting is complete to check quality and catch any early issues before they affect establishment.
Planting is timed to local conditions, typically when trees are dormant and rainfall supports early establishment.
Setting the root collar at the right depth and firming soil around the roots removes air pockets, helping young trees establish.
Competing or invasive vegetation can be removed where necessary to reduce competition for water, nutrients and space.
Individual species can be positioned according to the conditions they prefer, such as placing alder closer to watercourses in the UK.
Guards, stakes or fencing protect young trees from browsing animals such as deer and wild boar, and are removed once they are no longer needed.
Long-term monitoring & aftercare
After planting, Treeapp continues to monitor each site, tracking how trees are establishing and how the wider ecosystem recovers in the years that follow.
We combine field visits with remote sensing, including drone and satellite imagery, to assess tree health, survival and changing site conditions. Checks can include canopy development, competing vegetation and the proportion of trees that have survived since planting.
Where intervention is needed, maintenance can include removing competing vegetation, taking down tree guards once they are no longer required, and replacing trees that have not survived. This long-term approach helps us understand whether a planting site is developing as intended and where further action may be needed.
Across more than 20 countries, our monitoring shows an average survival rate of 85%. We also analyse satellite imagery over time through open platforms such as Restor, adding a further layer of evidence alongside field data.
We monitor the proportion of planted trees that successfully begin to grow as an early indicator of planting success.
Field teams record survival, growth and any damage on site, while drone and satellite imagery tracks change over time, building a fuller picture of how each site is progressing.
As trees grow, we measure how much ground their canopy covers and how many surviving trees there are per hectare. Together, these show whether a site is developing as planned.
We monitor competing vegetation and browsing damage to understand what may affect tree establishment.
Where trees do not survive, replacement planting can be carried out. Maintenance can also include weeding and removing guards once trees are sufficiently established.
Find out more about our UK planting.
See the difference our planting has made across some of our sites.
A selection of our projects, from mountain forests in Tanzania to mangrove coasts in Brazil, showing how each is shaped by its landscape.
TERRAIN AND BIODIVERSITY-LED RESTORATION
Up to 85% of the original forest cover has been lost across Tanzania’s Western Usambara Mountains. The result is fragmented habitat, greater soil erosion and less reliable water flow across an already vulnerable mountain landscape.
We use terrain maps and historic forest data to identify where restoration can have the greatest impact, while biodiversity records help inform a species mix that reflects the area’s original forest composition.
Restoring tree cover on steep slopes does more than rebuild habitat. As trees establish, their roots help bind the soil, reduce erosion and slow surface run-off, supporting better water regulation while creating habitat for native wildlife.
The project’s nursery in Lushoto employs more than 150 local people.
COMMUNITY-LED MANGROVE RESTORATION
Parts of Brazil’s Amazon Macrotidal Mangrove Coast have been degraded by illegal and unregulated shrimp and salt production, damaging one of the largest unbroken stretches of mangrove forest in the world.
Local Quilombola communities, who have lived along this coast for generations, use their knowledge of tidal flows and microhabitats to guide planting. Propagules are collected from healthy nearby mangroves, planting is timed mainly around low tide, and more salt-tolerant species are positioned closer to the sea.
Restoring the mangrove belt rebuilds habitat for species including the Uçá crab, Goliath grouper and manatee, while supporting oysters, crabs and fish that underpin local small-scale fishing. The project also creates employment for nearby communities and contributes to local food security.
Mangroves can store up to four times more carbon per hectare than tropical forests on land.
HABITAT AND COMMUNITY-LED RESTORATION
In Tumling, Nepal, the endangered red panda’s habitat has become fragmented across steep mountain terrain, while wild boar and muntjac deer put newly planted trees at risk.
Seedlings are raised in nearby nurseries run by local teams. Sites are fenced before planting, while bamboo stakes, mulch and natural fertilisers help protect young trees, retain soil moisture and support establishment.
The project reconnects fragmented forest into a wildlife corridor, giving red pandas shelter, food and safe routes through the landscape. Local teams also receive conservation education and fair wages, creating jobs and financial security in a highly rural community.
Our local team’s programme educates 23,000 students on red panda conservation every year.
Drone footage from one of our projects in Ecuador, showing the scale, terrain and teamwork behind restoration.
EcuadorLocal communities are involved in every stage, from growing seedlings in nurseries to planting and monitoring, creating income and learning opportunities. Native trees are restored on degraded highland slopes, supporting a newly protected water catchment that helps regulate water across the landscape.
A closer look at how we plan woodland creation across the UK and Europe.
01 – MAP THE SITE
Before any planting design begins, we georeference the site, pinning it to precise map coordinates, and map it down to the metre. This shows exactly how much land is available for planting.
Aerial mapping identifies existing woodland, surrounding vegetation, watercourses and access routes, and shows how the site connects to the wider landscape. We also use the Köppen climate classification, a global system for grouping climates, to understand conditions that influence species selection and planting season.
This mapping also creates the baseline against which the site is assessed and monitored over time.
02 – SCREEN CONSTRAINTS
Before developing the planting plan, we screen each site for statutory, ecological and physical constraints, so new woodland is created only where it benefits the landscape.
In the UK and across Europe, we use national and regional mapping datasets to assess protected areas, priority habitats, flood risk, wildlife pressures and historic land use. Examples include DEFRA and Environment Agency data in the UK, IGN’s National Forest Inventory in France and Germany’s Federal Forest Inventory.
Our aim is woodland that complements the existing landscape and protects valuable habitats.
03 – ANALYSE THE SOIL
Tree species respond very differently to the conditions beneath the surface, so understanding the soil is a critical step in deciding which trees are most likely to establish and thrive in each part of a site.
We use national and regional soil datasets to understand the dominant soil characteristics across each planting area. Examples include LandIS and Soilscapes in the UK, GIS Sol and INRAE data in France, and state-level soil mapping in Germany, coordinated with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).
We then combine this evidence with local observations and landowner knowledge to capture variations that national datasets may miss.
04 – DESIGN THE HABITAT
With the landscape, constraints and soil understood, we begin designing the woodland itself. The aim is a site that reflects the natural woodland composition appropriate to that location, rather than applying a uniform planting pattern.
Different areas within the same site can therefore have their own species mix and density. Water-tolerant species such as willow and alder go in wetter ground, while open clearings, native hedgerows and shrub zones add variety for wildlife.
In the UK and across Europe, trees are typically spaced 2–4 metres apart, depending on the species and restoration objective.
05 – MODEL THE SPECIES MIX
We combine everything we’ve learned about the site with independent forestry datasets to determine which species are best suited to each planting area.
Treeapp has developed a species-selection model that assesses each species’ tolerance to soil pH, moisture, soil texture and shade. These characteristics are matched against the conditions identified during site assessment to narrow down the species most likely to thrive.
We then consider nearby woodland composition and local biodiversity, so the final species mix also complements the wider ecological context. Every final mix is reviewed by our forestry team and approved by Treeapp’s Head Forester, who holds a PhD in Forest Ecology.
06 – PREPARE THE PLANTING
With the design and species mix approved, the focus turns to the quality of the trees and when they are planted.
We source from trusted UK and European nurseries that pass our procurement and due-diligence checks, prioritising suppliers within around 100 miles of the site. All suppliers must hold Plant Healthy certification or an EU Plant Passport, reducing the risk of introducing pests and disease.
For each site, we choose the most suitable type of young tree. Bare-root trees are grown in nursery fields and lifted from the ground without soil, while cell-grown trees are raised in small pots that keep a plug of soil around their roots, helping them cope on more exposed sites.
In the UK and Europe, planting usually takes place between late October and early March, while trees are dormant.
Planting is only the beginning. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring help each site grow into a healthy, resilient ecosystem.
In-person monitoring and maintenance by local teams
Teams walk each site, assessing tree health, growth and overall condition so any problems are spotted and addressed early.
We record the share of trees still alive at set points after planting, giving a clear measure of site performance.
Ongoing maintenance includes clearing competing vegetation where needed, removing guards once trees are established & checking trees are healthy.
Trees that don’t survive are replaced during maintenance visits, keeping each site on course to reach its planned density.
Remote monitoring of how entire sites change over time
Low-altitude drone flights capture detailed footage of canopy condition, helping teams see the full planting area at once.
Regular satellite images show how tree cover spreads over months and years, revealing trends that are hard to spot on the ground.
Our sites appear on Restor, an open platform where anyone can see where restoration is happening and how it’s progressing.
Images from before planting sit alongside today’s, making each site’s transformation easy to see and share with stakeholders.
The key indicators that show how trees are establishing and how each ecosystem is recovering over time.
The number of surviving trees within a defined area, helping us assess whether the site is developing towards its intended planting density.
How tree cover develops across the site, helping us understand ecosystem recovery and identify competing growth that may affect young trees.
Trunk diameter measured at around 1.3 metres high, a forestry standard used as trees mature to track growth and woodland development over time.
Leaf colour and bud development, along with premature browning, help us assess whether trees are healthy and establishing successfully.
Four commitments behind every Treeapp project, so restoration is protected, responsible and built to last.
We agree clear responsibilities with landowners and local teams. Where relevant, legally binding agreements protect trees for a defined period and set out maintenance obligations, backed by Treeapp monitoring.
We assess each ecosystem before deciding whether planting is appropriate, checking land use and protected habitats. National datasets and site visits help ensure restoration strengthens the landscape.
We combine our methodology with local forestry, ecological and community knowledge. Before planting begins, we consider how the land is used, who depends on it and how restoration can support local needs.
Treeapp sets the standards behind each project and reviews the methodology and evidence used to design it. We maintain oversight of planting quality, species selection and delivery alongside local experts and teams.
We’re very proud of the impact we are having year on year.
Check out our 2026 Impact Report to see how we have made our mark and what we are planning next!
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