Trees: Types and Distribution

In addition to animals, many Heifer International donors opt for a greener future by honoring friends and family who love the outdoors with gifts of trees.Trees are essential to life on Earth. They breathe out oxygen and breathe in carbon dioxide. They hold water in the soil and moisture in the air. They provide food and medicines for birds, animals and people. Planting fast-growing trees puts nitrogen back in the soil, serves as windbreaks and provides communities with fodder, fencing, firewood and fruit.

In many projects around the world, farmers use a variety of trees and saplings, including acacia, fodder, forest and fruit. The many multi-purpose trees families plant along the contours of hillside plots and between rows of crops can provide shade for animals and high-protein fodder.