DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 10 -- ACROSS Tanzania, tree planting is gaining momentum as the country confronts some of its most pressing environmental and agricultural challenges, including soil degradation, changing weather patterns, and declining agricultural productivity.

The country has committed to restoring 5.2 million hectares of degraded land-an ambitious vision that could contribute significantly to healthier landscapes, more resilient farms, and stronger rural livelihoods.

Yet, as restoration efforts accelerate, an important question deserves greater attention: Are we simply planting more trees, or are we planting the right trees? Restoring agricultural landscapes requires more than increasing tree cover.

The choice of tree species m...