Water scarcity is an increasingly sever problem across the developing world, with many countries in East Africa already experiencing water shortages or sever water scarcity. Certain trees that are integrated into agricultural systems can increase the efficiency of water use, while plantations of fast-growing trees can exacerbate water shortages and drought.

This has triggered a heated debate: Does planting trees ease or worsen water shortages? Planting trees is great, although using appropriate scientific knowledge to plant the right tree in the right place is even greater.

Plantations of fast-growing evergreen trees, such as Eucalyptus or Pines that consume a lot of water, should be avoided in water-scarce areas. As an alternative, planting deciduous trees, which shed their leaves during dry season, should be encouraged. In addition to consuming less water, these trees can produce a range of valuable products like timber, fruits and fodder.

Scientists address the problem of competition for water between crops and trees by coppicing and root pruning which reduces water requirement of trees and gives crops an added advantage.

These are important lessons for the future, when the effects of climate and expected decline in rainfall will make the water balance effects of trees critical to the management of agricultural landscapes across Africa.