Beyond the trees: What makes a forest?
21st March 2025
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Dense green leaves and little winding paths. Tall canopies hiding the sunlight. From Little Red Riding Hood to Snow White, forests in Western cultures are often depicted as mythical and romantic places – separate from modern life. But is this true?
For many indigenous and rural communities, forests are integral to cultural traditions, economic stability, and well-being. These communities possess deep knowledge of the forests they depend on, sustainably harvesting resources in harmony with nature.
Forests worldwide are diverse ecosystems, from the Amazon’s lush rainforests to Africa’s dry brushlands and mangrove swamps. They provide food, medicine, livelihoods, and resilience to millions of people. Through our work across Africa, we are restoring various types of forests, each with unique tree species and deep connections to the communities who depend on them.
This International Day of Forests, come with us as we journey through some of the forests of Africa’s drylands.
- Ethiopian frankincense forests
- Tropical forests of Burkina Faso and Ghana
- Senegal’s mangroves and salt-resistant trees
Ethiopian frankincense forests
Boswellia trees in Metema, Ethiopia.
This sweet-smelling resin has been used as incense for thousands of years. For just as long, it has also provided communities in Ethiopia with a way of making an income.
Harvested from Boswellia trees, frankincense is made by tapping the tree for its resin. Growing to around 25 feet tall, these trees can be productive for up to 40 years. They look sparse and woody, with only a sprouting of green leaves during the wet season. Walking through them, you’d see plenty of sunlight and smell the dry fragrance of the surrounding brushland.
Although frankincense tapping provides a crucial source of income for rural families, these ancient forests are under threat. Deforestation, wildfire and bad tapping practices are putting the Boswellia tree species on the brink. Without intervention, they could be extinct within 20 years.
That’s why our work in the Metema region of Ethiopia is so important. Joining forces with communities, we’re working to restore and protect these incredible forests for future generations. Read more about them here.
Tropical forests in Burkina Faso and Ghana
A project participant holding baobab seedlings, Burkina Faso.
Closer to the tropical region of Africa’s sub-Saharan zone, the look and feel of these forests are very different to the dry fragrance of Ethiopia’s frankincense trees.
During the wet seasons, the forests here burst into greenery. From ant colonies on the ground to bats and beehives high up in the canopies, everywhere you look are signs of a thriving ecosystem.
Just some of the tree species that flourish here are mango, shea and baobab – each valued for their nutritious leaves, fruit and nuts.
Baobab trees can grow to be 90 feet tall and have a trunk circumference of around 100 feet. Mango trees are much smaller, but with extremely dense canopies that provide shelter from the rain and sun.
Grasses and shrubs also grow in these forests and thrive in the wetter months, creating a green forest floor that protects trees from grazing animals by providing other food to eat. Grass can also be cut, dried and turned into briquettes that provide an alternative to firewood for cooking.
One of the more well-known tree products from these forests is shea butter, made by harvesting nuts from shea trees. Prized for its moisturising benefits, shea butter is made from the nuts of shea trees, which thrive in the semi-arid regions of Burkina Faso and Ghana. Shea butter production provides a vital source of income for many communities, particularly women, living across rural African drylands.
Senegal’s mangroves and salt-resistant trees
An acacia tree in Senegal.
Senegal is famous for its diverse natural habitats, ranging from mangrove forests to savannahs. However, it is also one of the hottest countries where we work and has lost 13% of its tree cover between 2001 and 2023. Despite these challenging conditions, many rural communities in Senegal continue to rely on forests for their survival.
The trees we grow in our projects are specifically chosen for their drought resistance. Most of the areas where Tree Aid operates are landlocked or far from the coast, but Senegal presents a unique challenge. In coastal regions, we need to focus on growing trees that can withstand not only drought but also the high salinity of coastal soils.
Walking through a forest in Senegal, you’ll find tree species prized for their ability to thrive near coastal areas, adapting to both the arid climate and the salty soils. Species like acacia, baobab, and others are particularly well-suited to these conditions. These resilient trees are key to restoring Senegal’s landscapes and supporting the communities that depend on them.
An ancient baobab tree trunk, Burkina Faso.
Far from being fairytale places, forests are diverse ecosystems that are essential to the survival and well-being of the communities who live alongside them.
Now more than ever, our community-led projects are crucial, helping to bring life back to where it once was thriving, and protecting these precious ecosystems for tomorrow.
Your support helps us bring forests back to life and empower communities that depend on them. Join us today in helping to shape a brighter future for both people and the planet.