Why we plant saplings in clusters, not lines

Photo lines of neatly spaced trees look satisfying, but in this climate they dry out badly between waterings. Last monsoon we changed the method, and the survival numbers moved sharply.

The cluster approach

We now plant eight to twelve saplings of two or three species around a shared pit that catches monsoon runoff. Roots meet quickly, seedlings shade each other, and one watering feeds the whole group.

The results

Cluster plots showed an 81% survival rate after six months against 55% for the line plots the previous year. The nursery will run three cluster drives this season; the schedule is on the events page.