Indigenous Trees; Fruit and Agroforestry Trees; Woodlots and Survival Monitoring.
Our Trees
We prioritize species that are useful, in demand, and well-suited to the Malawian landscape.
At Root to Fruit, every tree we plant is carefully chosen by our Operations Manager, Charles Mankhokwe, who brings decades of experience in Forestry and Community Development. His knowledge of local ecosystems ensures that we plant the right species in the right places—balancing ecological benefit, carbon storage, and community need.
We understand that reforestation only works when local communities are part of the solution. That’s why we prioritize species that are useful, in demand, and well-suited to the Malawian landscape.
Indigenous Trees
Planting indigenous trees is at the core of our mission. These species are native to Malawi and play a vital role in soil restoration, carbon storage, erosion control, traditional medicine, and local biodiversity. They are also deeply valuable to communities who use them for timber, shade, and cultural practices.
Species we plant include:
Albizia versicolor (Mtangatanga – Male)
Timber, medicine, nitrogen fixation
Acacia polyacantha (Mthethe)
Shade, boat planks, local medicine, nitrogen fixation
Afzelia quanzensis (Msamba Fumu)
Timber, canoes, poles, shade
Albizia lebbeck (Mtangatanga – Female)
Timber, medicine, nitrogen fixation
Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit)
Fruit, water purification, medicine
Khaya nyasica (Red Mahogany / Mbawa)
Shade, poles, fences, local medicine
Uapaca kirkiana (Masuku)
Fruit, fodder, shade
Faidherbia albida (Msangu)
Nitrogen fixation, poles, canoes, shade
Terminalia sericea (Naphini)
Timber, tools, canoe building, medicine Toona ciliata (Sendrella) Furniture, poles, shade
Toona ciliata (Sendrella)
Furniture, poles, shade
Fruit and Agroforestry Trees
Alongside indigenous species, we plant carefully selected fruit and agroforestry species that support nutrition, income, soil health and community resilience.
Species we plant include:
Psidium guajava (Guava)
Fruit, juice, sale
Carica papaya (Pawpaw)
Fruit, home use, nutrition
Citrus tangerine (Tangerine)
Fruit, food security
Persea americana (Avocado)
Nutrient-rich fruit, oil
Senna spectabilis (Acacia)
Soil improvement, erosion control
Tephrosia vogelii (Mteteza)
Nitrogen fixation, organic pesticide
Woodlots and Survival Monitoring
We do not just plant and walk away. Every tree sponsorship includes practical measures designed to improve long-term survival and community benefit.
10% Extra: Community Woodlots
For every tree sponsored, we plant additional trees as part of local community woodlots. These are managed with Tree Clubs and include fast-growing, coppicing species that can provide firewood without cutting the whole tree down.
20% Extra: Buffer for Survival Rate
We also plant additional seedlings to account for natural losses from weather, pests and other local conditions. This helps protect long-term impact and supports our focus on keeping trees alive.