The Ugandan botanists climbing to save Africa’s forests
In the quest to restore Africa’s threatened forests, seed collectors are learning to ascend towering trees, sometimes over 50 meters tall, to gather the perfect seeds, reports Ruth Kamnitzer. This method is not only an art but a necessity in a world where many native tree species face extinction.
Sebastian walaita javan, curator at Tooro Botanical Gardens in Uganda, has spent over 25 years perfecting the technique of high tree climbing to collect seeds, teaching others to follow in his footsteps. In a team of three, climbers use ropes, harnesses, and spurs to scale massive trees, collecting mature seeds from the canopy before returning to the ground. The practice is integral to the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), which aims to restore 100 million hectares of land by 2030.
Native species are critical to maintaining biodiversity, but collecting their seeds is not without challenges. Walaita explains that seeds found on the ground are often too old, contaminated, or too immature to germinate. Climbing the trees is the only way to access the healthiest seeds at the right time—seeds that could hold the key to preserving endangered species. Yet, many local botanists struggle to reach high branches without proper training or equipment.
In September 2024, Walaita took his skills to Côte d’Ivoire, where he trained Ivorian botanists on how to safely harvest seeds from tall trees for reforestation efforts, focusing on native species. This is part of a wider movement to shift from planting non-native species like teak to those that are indigenous, more suited to the local ecosystem, and crucial for long-term restoration.
As reforestation efforts grow, so does the need for safe, sustainable ways to collect seeds and promote biodiversity. With the right training the next generation of tree climbers may have the tools to restore the forests that sustain Africa’s wildlife and people.