Tree Planting on Farms at Scale

Chris Herbert
Sep 23
3 min read

Tree Planting on Farms at Scale: Building Momentum for a Billion Trees in Canada

Canada’s farmlands stretch across 62 million hectares—land that not only feeds us but also offers one of the greatest opportunities to fight climate change.

Adding tree cover to these landscapes can restore soils, protect water, and build resilience while ensuring farms remain productive.

But scaling tree planting to the level required—one billion trees on Canadian farms—requires more than just good intentions.

It calls for rethinking programs, policies, and partnerships to make trees a practical, profitable, and desirable choice for farmers.

Why Trees on Farms Matter

Farmers are at the intersection of economy and environment. Agriculture employs 2.3 million Canadians and drives export earnings, yet it also directly shapes ecosystems.

By restoring tree cover through shelterbelts, riparian buffers, or integrated agroforestry, farmers can simultaneously strengthen food systems and deliver vital climate solutions. Trees on farms are more than environmental “extras.”

They can:

Improve soil health and fertility
Provide windbreaks and erosion control
Reduce heat stress on animals and crops
Offer alternative income streams through fruit, nut, and maple production
Support biodiversity and ecosystem services

In short, trees can make farms more resilient and profitable—if adoption barriers are addressed.

Want to learn more? Korotu has launched the Scaling Trees on Farms webinar and will soon release the full research. Contact them directly if you'd like to watch replay of the webinar, request access to their research and book a meeting with them.

What the Research Found

The Korotu Technology team conducted more than 35 in-depth interviews with farmers, industry professionals, and experts, alongside a review of 29 peer-reviewed studies and 64 policy documents

The findings reveal both optimism and frustration. While 85% of farmers see themselves as strong environmental stewards, seven major barriers keep tree planting from scaling:

Financial Uncertainty – Farmers hesitate to invest in trees that don’t bring quick returns.
High Land Prices – When farmland rents are steep, every acre must generate crop income.
Complex Applications – 42% said current funding programs are too complex and time-consuming.
Limited Species Options – Programs often exclude revenue-generating trees like fruit or nut species.
Machinery Conflicts – Existing trees can obstruct planting, spraying, and harvesting equipment.
Maintenance Burdens – Early years require funding and labour that farmers often lack.
Knowledge Gaps – Many farmers simply need clearer education on benefits and practicesShare_Scaling Trees on Farms _A….

These barriers show that awareness is not the issue—practicality and program design are.

Recommendations for Change

The study offered five clear recommendations to unlock tree planting at scale:

Simplify Funding – Use plain language, reduce paperwork, and create one-stop access to support.
Support Maintenance – Fund both existing tree cover and the costly early years after planting.
Include Income-Generating Species – Align agroforestry with farm business models by funding fruit, nut, and maple trees.
Scale Local Delivery Models – Empower trusted local partners (like conservation authorities) to provide hands-on support.
Offer Practical Tools – Centralize funding info and create user-friendly planning tools to guide adoptionShare_Scaling Trees on Farms _A….

Together, these changes can shift trees from being seen as “lost acres” to valuable farm assets.

An Invitation to Collaborate

Planting a billion trees on Canadian farms is not a job for farmers alone. It requires a coalition of:

Farmers and producer groups
Agri-food businesses
Local governments and communities
Policy makers and funders
Researchers and NGOs

Korotu Technology and its partners are inviting collaboration to empower farmers and drive systemic change. By aligning economic incentives with environmental outcomes, Canada can build the momentum needed to scale up tree cover and secure a more resilient futureShare_Scaling Trees on Farms _A….

Take Action

Korotu has launched the Scaling Trees on Farms webinar and will soon release the full research. Contact them directly if you'd like to watch replay of the webinar, request access to their research and book a meeting with them.