Muge PS in Masaka
grew 80 eucalyptus
Birds are spreaders of tree seed. Many
types of seeds will not germinate
unless they have passed through the
gut of a bird. Forests are created by the
gust
o.2 Au
interaction between birds, animals and
seed. Let birds live to do their work. l. 1 0 N
Vo
Trees for greener Uganda Uganda’s forests
and woodlands are
disappearing. The
Ministry of Water
and Environment
says trees on private
land are likely to be
exhausted within
three to five years.
This is very bad for
humans and animals.
The Kampala, Wakiso and
Entebbe forests have been
replaced with houses. And,
because city people need
charcoal, trees are being
cleared in nearby districts like
Mubende, Nakasongola and
Masindi.
In Eastern Uganda, bush has
been replaced with crops.
"We no longer have enough
firewood. We fetch it from far.
My mother says we used to
have a forest where we would
collect it but it was cut. Now
they are growing crops on
that land, I am raising these
trees for firewood."
Owori Ernest, 13, St James
Boarding PS, Tororo
One million trees in the north are just the start!
On 10 August, 2010, Tree Talk joyously celebrated its
1,000,000th tree under WILD, a project of Wildlife Conservation
Society and USAID. Schools, communities and dignitaries
ÁRFNHGWRWKHHYHQWLQWKHQHZO\FUHDWHGGLVWULFWRI/DPZR.
(L) Gershom
Onyango,
Director for
Environment
in the Ministry
of Water and
Environment,
plants a
mahogany,
tree number
1,000,000
helped by
forester Lucy
Edea.
R) War against
climate change:
Performance of
Otole dance at
the event. Otole
is a war dance.
trees from Tree Talk
seed. They prune them
three times a year for
ÀUHZRRGIRUFRRNLQJ
school meals. GREAT
WORK!
Write to Tree Talk PO
Box 22366, K'la for tree
seed so you can grow
trees. We have seed
for Musizi, Lusambya,
Grevillea, Mahogany,
2010
and more.
Mayuge district has lost 100% Sector Performance Report
of its tree cover. All forest estimates Uganda’s timber
land is cultivated. In Bududa, needs at 750,000m3 per year
a family has just 0.5acres (half (a very big muvule can have
a football pitch) only 2m3
to live on. So of wood).
people have to The report
cut trees to dig says that
on Mt Elgon. This sustainable
caused a terrible harvesting
landslide, in which of timber
many people died. from Central
Forest
In western Reserves
Uganda, can only
woodlands are provide
being turned The search for firewood is 53,000m3
into land for tiring for women and girls. per year for
subsistence We need small woodlots for the next 30
agriculture. firewood around our homes. years.
We need trees Less trees means less water
Uganda’s forests support the in form of rain, poor soils, less
livelihood of both the towns water in our wells, lakes and
and villages. Trees or forests rivers, no firewood, less fish.
This will make life for people,
provide clean and healthy
environmental conditions, animals and plants almost
impossible to live.
helping to form rain, preventing
floods, refilling underground
water and providing support To have enough rain, firewood
and good climate, we need to
for wildlife which is good for
tourism. plant trees and not cut natural
forests.
The Water and Environment
A couple leaves with seedlings of Afezelia
africana, a precious northern hardwood. Tree
Talk gave out 9,460 seedlings from its central
nursery at Paloga PS during the event.
2 Tree Talk, August 2010
Tree Talk 2002-10: good work, more to come
Tree Talk started in 2002 as
a newspaper. Straight Talk
Foundation (STF) sent it to
every school in the country
--about 18,000 institutions
-- with a sachet of tree seed,
usually 5-10g depending
upon the size of the seed.
Over the years, Tree Talk has sent out
seed for many tree species, including
Mahogany, Tamarind, Lusambya, Mvule,
Senna, Balinites aegyptica, Musizi and
Podocarpus. Not every school grew the
seed and some seed was lost in transit.
But many schools did grow the seed.
Some of their inspiring stories and
acheivements are described on page 4.
In all, Tree Talk estimates that about
200,000 trees have been grown from
Tree Talk seed. This conservative figure
is based on just 10% of schools growing
the seed. Tree Talk is grateful to all
the schools that utilised the seed and
is looking forward to more intense
interactions on tree growing with more
schools. Please see our seed offer on
page 4.
In 2006, Tree Talk moved into a new
style of working. Uganda faces rapid
loss of forests and trees with serious
effect, yet schools and communities have
an enormous need for wood. Worried
that its seed model was not leading to
the growing of enough trees to make a
difference, Tree Talk started its first "on
the ground" effort with trees.
Since that time, Tree Talk has been
Trees against global warming
Global warming is
the increase in the
world's average surface
temperature.
In Africa global
warming is
increasing
the
number of
droughts,
floods
and
famines.
Africa is the
most vulnerable
continent to the effects of
global warming but you can
protect you and your family
by planting trees.
One expert described
global warming as a “threat
multiplier”. It intensifies
already existing problems such
as water shortages and conflict.
It is predicted that by 2030
East Africa will suffer from
some of the highest death
rates from climate change in
the world.
Tree growing can make
Uganda a leader in the battle
against global warming.
One of the greatest fighters
against global warming in
responsible for the growing of about
2.3 million trees mostly in northern
Uganda -- from Yumbe to Pader -- and in
Karamoja.
In total, Tree Talk has worked with over
1,000 schools to grow woodlots. About
East Africa is Wangari Maathai.
She is a Kenyan environmental activist
and founded the Green Belt Movement,
which has planted over 40 million
trees on farms, school and
church land in Kenya.
She has won
many awards,
including the
Nobel Peace
Prize, for her
amazing work.
She has loved
planting trees since
she was a child.
You can be a tree-
planting leader like
Wangari Maathai.
She says: “One of the
most important things
we can and should do to
fight global warming is
protect and rehabilitate our
forests."
Wangari Maathai
says: "The cost
of doing nothing
will be too
high for future
generations. The
time for forests is
now.”
3,600 acres have been planted. Tree Talk
is very grateful to the 1,400 teachers
it trained who then spearheaded the
woodlot planting.
Tree Talk is also currently working with
138 community groups. Some schools,
Let wildlings grow
If you want to restore an
area that has lost trees,
you do not always have to
plant new trees. Raising
seedlings, transporting them
and protecting them as they
establish themselves is
expensive.
There is a cheaper and faster method
called farmer-managed
natural regeneration
(FMNR). With this
method, farmers allow
trees that have seeded
themselves on their land
to grow. Such seedlings
are called wildlings.
Farmers also allow tree
stumps to regenerate.
Trees may also sprout
from roots from a tree
groups and farmers will receive "carbon
credits" for their trees.
Tree Talk has large tree nurseries in
Moyo, Adjumani, Gulu, Amuru, Kitgum/
Lamwo and Pader. In peak potting
seasons, they employ hundreds of
people, mostly vulnerable single mothers
and young people and extremely
vulnerable people still living in IDP
camps. It buys tree seed locally, thereby
putting money into communities.
Tree Talk invites all interested parties to
contact info@treetalk.or.ug or call
031-2-262030, 0312266148. There is a
lot we can do together.
The
trees
are
alive
in Uganda
. Working for people and
trees .
The Trees are Alive documents
Tree Talk's work since 2002. If
you would like a copy, please write
to PO Box 22366, Kampala, E-
mail: info@treetalk.or.ug for an
electronic copy of the book.
A Lophira alata wildling: no
tree from outside Uganda
has as many good qualities
as Lophira.
that has been cut.
Lophira alata is a valuable tree
in northern Uganda, where
it is called Oteng in Luo or
Iku in Lugbara. It has dense
timber which is good for heavy
construction. It resists fungi,
termites and wood boring
insects.
In West Africa, it is considered
the most durable timber. It is
stronger, harder and heavier than teak. In
Uganda it grows in high rainfall wooded
grassland, often in association with the
Shea Nut tree.
Acholi people use the wood to make
stools and chairs. People in the Lugbara-
Aringa area use the seed for making oil
for soap and lighting lamps. Lophira is
also an insecticide although scientists
have not yet found the active
ingredient.
Allowing such important but
neglected indigenous trees to
regenerate from stumps or roots
or to grow from wildlings will
improve the lives of people.
Left: a Shea n ut tree
regenerating from a stump

Where and who to plant trees?
Every year Uganda
loses 88,000 – 92,000
hectares of forest. To
regain our natural
forests, we have
to plant twice the
number we lose.
Schools, prisons,
road reserves,
hilltops are ideal
places for planting
trees.
Schools
Since 2006 Tree Talk has
helped 901 schools in West
Nile, the North, Karamoja and
Kumi to plant almost 2 million
trees on almost 3500 acres of
land. The aim is for each school
in Uganda to have a woodlot,
ideally about 3-4 acres.
Children do not learn well in hot, dry,
windy schools.
Prisons
In northern Uganda Tree Talk is working
with 6 prisons. Most prisons in Uganda
have vast land that can be used for green-
ing the communities. Openzinzi Prison in
Planting trees along roads
Uganda National Road Authority(UNRA) recognises the
need to use road reserves for tree planting.
A pupil of Paloga PS holding a neem
seedling. Neem is a medicinal tree
species that cures ailments such as
malaria, cough and stomach ache.
Adjumani is planting trees on its
5000 acres of land.
Patrick Ebong, Superintendent of
Prisons, Adjumani Prison Farm,
says; "Since we started planting
trees, our prison is beginning to ex-
perience a cool atmosphere. Birds
CPFDWVVGTƀKGUCTGDGEQOKPIOQTG
It is working with
National Forestry
Authority and Forest
Sector Support to
develop guidelines on
how best to plant trees
along roadsides.
Trees planted along roadside
beautify the scenery. They can
also serve as a windbreak,
control erosion and runoff.
To plant trees by the roadside,
or a rest stop along the road,
get permission from your local
leaders.
There may be rules about not
growing certain types of trees
and regulations regarding
planting height or what types
of flowers and grasses to plant.
Even if you own the land, there
may still be rules about how
close to the roadside you may
plant trees.
When you plant trees, look after
them until they grow. Protect
trees using baskets to guard
against animals.
For more information
about planting
trees along national
roads, contact:UNRA
Environmental Officer,
Patrick Kamanda:
patrick.kamanda@unra.
go.ug
Kitgum prison
wardens plant a
Mvule, the 999,982th
tree. Under Tree Talk,
prisons in northern
Uganda have planted
over 100,000 trees.
Organisations
Every school needs
four acres of woodlot
to have enough fuel-
wood and poles. You
can use your social re-
sponsibility program to
plant trees in schools
to offset your carbon
emissions. Tree Talk
can help. Call Gaster
Kiyingi: 0772448110
Telecommunication
companies can plant
trees around masts.
The trees will reduce
effects of climate
change.
Plant trees
on bare hills
There are many bare hills
in the country where
trees have to be planted.
This explains why the
Farm Income Project has
a program of planting
trees on bare hills in
different parts of the
country.
Margaret Athieno, Assistant
Commissioner, Forest Sector Support
Department, says: "We are planting
trees to cover 49,500 hectares
equivalent to 54 million trees, in
100 sub-counties located in 50
districts. We aim to cover bare hills,
rehabilitate degraded forests and
improve Uganda's watersheds".
3 Tree Talk, August 2010
NFA forest reserves
Godfrey Acaye, the Director for Natural
Forests at National Forest Authorty
(NFA) says: "We expect individuals,
communities and NGOs to take the lead
in tree planting, joined by corporate
companies."
Work with district local government
to plant trees. Land should not be a
problem. NFA has bare land in Central
Forest Reserves (CFR).
Contact NFA for permission to plant
trees in a CFR or on forest boundaries.
Those allowed to grow trees in areas
protected by NFA, will be given licenses.
The trees will
belong to whoever
plants them.
For more
information on
planting in CFR
reserves,
contact the
nearest NFA
office in your
district. Godfrey Acaye
The project also gives seedlings and
advice to people interested in tree
planting.
Alex Atuyamba of the Sawlog
Production Grant Scheme (SPGS)
says "Communities interested in tree
planting can express their interest
to the project, trained and given
seedlings for planting"
Odeke Michahel, NFA, adds that the
Authority has a number of initiatives
from which communities can benefit.
You can find out from the District
Forest Officer, in your home district,
on how to get seedlings from these
opportunities.
4 Tree Talk, August 2010
What tree seed achieved for schools
Since 2002 Tree Talk has appeared 14 times. With each of these 14 editions, the newspaper
sent sachets of tree seed to every school in the country. Schools that used the seed to grow
trees have benefitted enormously.
+HUHDUHVRPHRIWKHEHQHÀWVWKH\
describe.
- protection from storms.
- timber to roof buildings.
- timber to build desks.
ÀUHZRRG
- poles for fencing.
- income.
EHDXW\DQGVKDGH
- cooler temperatures.
- hiding places from tear gas.
- shelter for classroom.
COOL SCHOOL: Pupils learn
under tree shades at Iganga
SDA Light PS.
Victoria PS and Orphanage Centre in Jinja
has already harvested timber from trees
grown from Tree Talk seed. Says director,
Mrs Ndaula Annet: “When Tree Talk
sent us seeds in 2005, we planted them
so that we avoid incidences of storms
that we suffered in 2003. We received
Your letters Write to PO Box 22366, Kampala.
Every letter published wins a T-shirt.
T he last Tree Talk asked you what
your school did with its Tree Talk
seed. Wabwire Moses
of Batula Tree Talk
Club, Busia wrote:
“We germinated it in a
nursery bed and shared
the seedlings among
members to plant in
our homes. Some of
our trees are now big
enough to make shade,
timber and poles.”
Byebirooha Francis
of Lhuhiri PS, Kasese
wrote: “We grew the
seed and now have
shade. Recently we
sold mature trees
and earned money to
renovate our buildings. Our parents are
copying our school. Some now grow
trees and sell poles.”
Thanks, boys, you win T-shirts!
Other letters
Thank you, Tree Talk. You have helped
me learn new important things about
trees like regulating weather, and pre-
venting landslides. Kabuye Ayat, Victory
Border Point PS, Malaba
Tree Talk is a project of Straight Talk
Foundation, Plot 4, Acacia Avenue, Kololo
PO Box 22366, Kampala. Tel. 0312-262030
or 0312-266148.
harvested six eucalyptus, and made 30
Director Ndaula of Victoria PS
with her Musizi wood from Tree
Talk seed.
eucalyptus and Musizi seed. In 2007 we
harvested part of our eucalyptus to roof
our kraal. In 2008 we used the poles to
fence the school. In March 2010, we cut
one Musizi tree. The timber will help us
make ten desks. We are also saving on
firewood. We used to spend over UGX
300,000 on firewood per term but now
we spend less! Our woodlot meets our
firewood demands."
Kibedi Bylone, teacher, Iganga SDA Light
PS says: "In 1999 there was a heavy
storm that stripped our main classroom
block roof. When we received eucalyptus,
Leucaena and Senna seed through the
post office in 2004, we established a
nursery and raised over 2,000 seedlings.
We gave some to the pupils to plant and
planted others around the compound.
We have so far cut ten trees. In 2008 we
My father burns charcoal to raise our
school fees. If charcoal was not there,
we would not go to school or get what
to eat. These days trees
are reducing in num-
ber. The local leaders
threaten to arrest those
who burn charcoal
but my father has not
stopped. I pray that
the government does
not become serious
about charcoal burners.
Godwin M, P7, Lhuhiri
PS, Kasese
Sorry, Godwin. This is
the crisis of charcoal!
Do you have land to
grow a woodlot and
diversify your family's
income? Readers, what should
Godwin's family do?
NEW QUIZ
From where does your home or
VFKRROJHWÀUHZRRG"'R\RXFRO-
lect from the bush or buy from
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Tree Talk32%R[.DPSDOD
RULQIR#WUHHWDONRUXJ<RXZLOO
UHFHLYHIUHHWUHHVHHG
This issue was funded by DANIDA, with a contribution from
supported by USAID and led by Wildlife Conservation Society.
Editors: J Kisakye, G Kiyingi, C Watson, T Agutu; Design: G Turibamwe, M Kalanzi; Reviewer: S Amunau
desks. In 2009 we cut three trees that we
donated to the church: they used them
to make ten benches. In 2009 a similar
storm destroyed a neighbouring school.
We were saved by our trees."
Bishop West PS in Mukono grew a
eucalyptus woodlot. Barakajira Wilson,
P7, says “I was in P2 when the trees were
planted. Now we have harvested several
times for firewood and poles which we
used to fence our school. Near our place
there have been riots with tear gas twice.
We hide in our woodlot from the chaos!”
"We received Mvule seed in 2007 and
raised over 50 seedlings, I planted ten Headmaster Mwaya of Bugiri PS
in my home and others on a street in with a Tree Talk eucalyptus.
Mbarara. Our Mvule is growing well and
making the street look great. Baluku Mwaya Joshua, Headteacher, Bugiri
Benson, Teacher, Mbarara Prep School Modern PS "Before we received Tree
Talk seeds, we had been hit by serious
storms in 1998 and 1999. One blew off
the roof. The other brought down the
walls. That is when we realized that we
needed protection. We planted Senna and
eucalyptus from Tree Talk around our
school.
To make sure that our trees grew well,
we gave each pupil the responsibility
of taking care of a tree. So each tree
belonged to a pupil. These children are
in higher institutions now but they come
back to check on their trees. We used
to have a lot of heat in the afternoon
Teacher Baluku with his Tree Talk but now it is cool here all through. Our
Mvule -- just three years old and school is a recreation centre. We are not
already taller than he is! planning to cut them soon."
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:ULWHWRTree Talk32%R[.DPSDODRU(PDLOWR
LQIR#WUHHWDONRUXJ Forestry Inspection
Division,
the WILDNational
project,
Forestry Authority
and National Tree
Seed Centre.