Planting 10 Million Trees with Lukenya University in Kenya: Methodology and Preliminary Observations and Forecasts

Lukenya University has recently begun implementing a Ten Million Tree Growing Initiative, as part a larger national multi-institutional country-wide tree growing program. In this paper we describe the methods used as far as tree selection and the planting itself. Note that most of the trees are not planted directly by the institution by given to farmers to plant on their land, with instruction as to how to choose a location and how to technically perform the planting and maintenance to ensure greater success for the tree and the environment surrounding it. This knowledge arises out of years of experience as far as both the biology of planting and the social interaction with smallholder farmer communities. We kept track of the survival and growth of a subsample of a number of different tree species. After about two years of operation, we performed a statistical analysis on preliminary data. We observe statistically significant advantages to survival and relative growth volume to indigenous trees and the aforementioned comprehensive instruction before plotting, among other observations we relate from the hypothesis tests performed. Finally, we present estimates of the carbon sequestration and economic value of the trees to the community. Summarizing, the paper presents a comprehensive transparent display of a tree growing initiative, a common endeavor motivated to maximize social welfare and climate change resilience, and in so doing can develop the knowledge of best practices for these purposes.