China’s vast tree planting drive has produced forests that gain leaf cover significantly faster than natural forests according to a 2026 study published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Researchers led by Yuhang Luo of Peking University analysed satellite data to compare planted and naturally occurring forests. They found that planted forests increased their leaf area 66% faster overall.
However, researchers said most of this difference was linked to age. China planted forests are generally younger and younger trees tend to develop leaf cover more rapidly than older forests.
When forests of similar ages and growing conditions were compared, the growth advantage of planted forests fell to about 4.6%. The difference was particularly noticeable in mixed and evergreen forests.
Management practices also contributed to faster growth. Planted forests often use fast-growing species such as eucalyptus and poplar and may receive measures such as vegetation removal and fertilisation, reducing competition for light, water and nutrients.
The study found that the advantage of planted forests is not permanent. It was strongest among trees around 30 to 40 years old and declined noticeably after 40 years, while natural forests showed slower but more consistent growth over time.
China has planted around 66 billion trees since 1978 as part of large scale reforestation programmes aimed partly at combating desertification. The country has also set a target of planting another 34 billion trees by the middle of the century.
Researchers cautioned that faster leaf growth does not necessarily mean greater long-term carbon storage. Carbon is also stored in trunks, branches, roots and soil and natural forests can offer greater ecological resilience.
The findings suggest that the climate benefits of reforestation depend not only on the number of trees planted, but also on their species, age, management and long term survival.