50p a Tree Forest Gardens

What is a forest garden?

Our 50p-a-Tree Forest Gardens restore degraded land, strengthen smallholder farmer livelihoods, and grow nutritious food across Africa.

Recognised as a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Flagship Initiative, this approach uses carefully selected trees, shrubs, vines, vegetables, legumes, herbs, and groundcovers to rebuild soil, increase biodiversity, and improve food security — all for just 50p per tree.

Every plant in a Forest Garden has a purpose. Some fix nitrogen, some provide shade, some feed families, and others protect the soil. Together, they create a self-sustaining ecosystem that transforms barren land into thriving, productive farms.

How a Forest Garden Works: The Seven Layers

A Forest Garden mimics the structure of a natural forest. Each layer performs a different ecological function and contributes to food, income, or soil restoration.

1. Trees – The Backbone of Every Forest Garden
2. Shrubs & Perennials — The Soil-Building Workhorses
3. Vines & Climbers — Vertical Farmers
4. Groundcovers — The Living Soil Blanket
5. Staple Crops — The Food Security Layer
6. Vegetables — Fast, Nutritious, High-Value Crops
7. Herbs & Medicinals — The Aromatic Protection Layer

1. Trees

The Backbone of Every Forest Garden

Trees are the architects of a Forest Garden. They create the structure, shade, and long-term stability that everything else depends on. Deep roots pull nutrients from far below the soil surface, while their leaves fall as mulch, feeding the land naturally.

Many of our trees are nitrogen-fixing species, enriching the soil without fertilisers — a lifeline for farmers working on degraded land.

2. Shrubs & Perennials

The Soil-Building Workhorses

Shrubs fill the space between trees, creating a productive mid-layer that boosts food security and soil health. Many shrubs are nitrogen-fixing legumes, pumping fertility back into the soil while producing edible leaves, peas, fruits, or biomass.

Shrubs grow quickly, tolerate harsh conditions, and provide fast returns for farmers — often within months.

3. Vines & Climbers

Vertical Farmers

Vines turn unused vertical space into high-value production zones. They climb trees, trellises, or shrubs, producing food, fodder, and soil-building biomass without competing for ground area.

Many vines — like lablab and mucuna — are powerful nitrogen fixers, improving soil fertility while suppressing weeds.

4. Groundcovers

The Living Soil Blanket

Groundcovers protect the soil from erosion, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. They spread across the soil surface, shielding it from sun, wind, and heavy rain.

Many groundcovers — like sweet potato and pumpkin — also produce nutritious food.

5. Staple Crops

The Food Security Layer

Staple crops form the calorie base of the Forest Garden. These grains, roots, and seeds provide reliable food year-round.

Many staples also improve soil structure or fix nitrogen.

6. Vegetables

Fast, Nutritious, High-Value Crops

Vegetables thrive in the cool, shaded microclimates created by trees and shrubs. They grow quickly, provide essential vitamins and minerals, and offer farmers a steady source of income.

7. Herbs & Medicinals

The Aromatic Protection Layer

Herbs and medicinal plants repel pests, attract pollinators, improve soil biology, and provide culinary and medicinal value.

Sponsor a Tree for 50p

Help a farming family restore their land, grow more food, and build a climate-resilient future. 

Choosing a 50p tree planting scheme is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways for businesses to take meaningful climate action. By planting trees through a verified, community-led programme, your organisation helps restore degraded land, improve soil health, strengthen biodiversity and support farming families who depend on resilient landscapes. Every contribution grows your own corporate forest, a living, measurable asset that reflects your commitment to long-term sustainability.

Tree plantation projects are no longer just CSR add-ons; they are a core part of credible Net Zero strategies, supply chain resilience, and stakeholder expectations. Whether you’re an SME taking your first step or a large organisation expanding your climate portfolio, planting trees at 50p each gives you a transparent, high-impact way to demonstrate leadership and invest in nature-based solutions that deliver real results.