Thailand in the 1950s planted millions of leucaena trees for fodder and reforestation, but scientists now say they have spread into natural forests, replacing native vegetation with dense single-species stands

Jul 6, 2026 - 17:00
 0  1
Thailand in the 1950s planted millions of leucaena trees for fodder and reforestation, but scientists now say they have spread into natural forests, replacing native vegetation with dense single-species stands
Thailand's ambitious 1950s tree-planting initiative, aimed at restoring barren lands with the fast-growing Leucaena leucocephala, has backfired. Once hailed as a 'miracle tree' for its soil enrichment and fodder benefits, it has now become a serious ecological threat. The invasive species aggressively outcompetes native vegetation, forming dense monocultures that devastate biodiversity and disrupt natural forest regeneration, posing a significant conservation challenge.

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 0
Dislike Dislike 0
Love Love 0
Funny Funny 0
Angry Angry 0
Sad Sad 0
Wow Wow 0