Plant Something Useful

Across much of Uganda, land boundaries are not marked with concrete walls or barbed-wire fences but instead with plants such as euphorbia and figs to create living fences. These plants are typically chosen because they can be easily grown from cuttings and will nearly always survive, requiring little attention. However, except for the carefree way in which they can be planted they serve little other purpose, as the sap (latex) of the green euphorbia and figs is poisonous and a skin irritant. Furthermore, the timber from the figs is of little use as it is this latex once again that results in poor burning qualities and long drying times. So why not plant something useful?
Well, this is what we thought as well and what we now plan to implement. Most Ugandans do own small plots of land which they cultivate intensively meaning they simply do not have the option to set aside large areas for forestry, however, what they do all have is land boundaries.

Boundaries, Produce, and Habitats

These boundaries when replaced with a diverse mixture of trees and shrubs ranging from timber and coppice-capable trees, medicinal trees to fruit and fodder trees do not only offer a greater utilization of the boundary space but supply smallholder subsistence farmers with useful products. Additionally, they create corridors for all manner of wildlife which helps to alleviate the pressure on the diminishing natural habitats of many species.