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Tree seedlings are the cornerstone of sustainable green spaces - whether in dense urban environments or sprawling forest ecosystems. While most needs of these young trees are relatively similar across environments, some key factors vary dramatically depending on where they're planted. Understanding both these differences and similarities is essential for anyone involved in reforestation, landscaping, or urban greening initiatives. Let’s break down what tree seedlings need to thrive in forest and urban environments, and how seedling protection products can make a difference. Key factors in seedling needs: Site selection and preparation Species selection Seedling quality and planting techniques Post-planting care and long-term maintenance Tree seedling needs: key factors more in depth... Site Selection and Preparation: The Foundation for Growth It may sound self-explanatory, but many still overlook the difference in soil features to focus on when choosing the appropriate site for tree planting across the various locations. In reforestation areas, healthy, organic-rich soil is key to promoting deep root development. Site prep here often includes removing competing vegetation and improving soil conditions to give seedlings a solid head start​. On the other hand, urban areas  pose a different challenge: limited planting space and compacted soils. In these environments, ensuring enough soil volume and quality isn’t just helpful - it’s essential for root expansion and stability​. Seedling protection tools  can prove useful in both cases, as they shield young roots from natural stressors in forest environments and stabilize them in poor or shallow soils, especially in cramped city plots. Species Selection: One Size Doesn’t Fit Al Similarly, different considerations need to be kept in mind when selecting species for the different environments. For reforestation efforts, native species are the most ideal - they’re resilient, support biodiversity, and adapt well to local conditions​. Urban trees , however, need to be tough. Species with high adaptability to pollution, limited rooting space, and varying moisture levels are best for establishing urban greenery. Plus, species diversity is a smart strategy to reduce risks from pests and diseases​. Seedling protecting solutions  may be beneficial in this case, for reducing transplant shock and defending against nibbling critters or careless foot traffic. Seedling Quality and and Planting Techniques: Handle With Care As we also learned at our tree planting with Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap, s eedlings grown in controlled environments for 1–2 years tend to survive better after planting. But rough handling during transport or planting can cause serious damage to roots​. Planting depth is also crucial - especially for root collar placement. In forests , spacing depends on species and long-term management goals​. Planting the saplings relatively close can help in motivating the young trees to grow fast and tall. Post-Planting Care and Long-Term Maintenance: Healthy Trees for Life Watering is vital during the establishment phase. Urban seedlings , in particular, suffer from heat and soil dryness and need consistent moisture​. Furthermore, routine checks for stress, pests, or disease are key to long-term success. Urban trees benefit greatly from regular pruning to maintain shape and prevent structural failures​. Post-planting maintenance is seens as the most cost- and labor-intensive stage of all planting efforts. Leaf.it ’s seedling protection plate , on the other hand, is designed to provide aid exactly in this stage of the, reducing the burden of frequent watering efforts, and protecting the young trees from all kinds of environmental stressors - let it be a harsh weather, animals, or pests. Seedling protection: For long-term success No matter the setting - deep in the woods or along a city sidewalk - seedlings face natural and human-driven environmental stressors that can hinder their growth. But with the right preparation, species choice, and especially with the aid of protective solutions, we can give every seedling its best chance to thrive and grow up. Explore Leaf.it ’s solution for protecting young trees, and read more about our dedication to nurturing nature, one seedling at a time! 🌳 Read more insights from Leaf.it in our next blogpost:

We are thrilled to announce that Leaf.it got selected into the Startupbootcamp class of 2025 in the Food & Agritech category ! Beyond financial capital, this opportunity provides us an intense 3-months acceleartor program . With mentoring and coaching, an invaluable industry-relevant network and all necessary resources to enable uprecedented growth, our partnership with Startupboothcamp is opening new doors for Leaf.it for revolutionizing reforestation efforts and the fight against seedling mortality! We are honored to be choosen into the successful 1% from a thousands of applicants, and getting this opportunity to accelerate our venture! We are exicted to grow with Startupbootcamp, one seedling at a time!

As organizations increasingly invest in reforestation and urban greening initiatives, seedling survival becomes a critical success factor. Alarmingly, a significant proportion of planted seedlings never reach maturity - a challenge with serious implications for carbon offsetting, biodiversity, and long-term ecosystem harmony. Understanding the drivers behind seedling mortality is essential to improving survival rates, ensuring return on investment of tree planting, and achieving meaningful environmental outcomes. Read on to learn more from our comprehensive research inisghts article about the causes of seedling mortality and our approach to solve this problem! Why Seedling Mortality Matters Seedlings form the foundation of future forests and urban green infrastructure . When mortality rates are high, the result is a loss of ecological services such as carbon sequestration, air purification, and urban cooling (6). Moreover, the financial and labor costs associated with tree planting efforts become highly inefficient when survival rates are not adequately tracked or supported post-planting (4, 5). This makes reducing mortality not only an ecological priority , but also a strategic necessity for both urban and forestry purposes. Exploring the Causes of Seedling Mortality The main causes: Environmental Stressors Biotic Stressors Infrastructure and Maintenance Poorly executed planting processes Post-planting monitoring and management Environmental Stressors: Drought, Soil, and Climate Conditions Environmental stress is one of the leading causes of seedling mortality. Drought in particular significantly limits seedling establishment, especially in areas that are increasingly impacted by climate change (14). Young trees have shallow root systems and limited capacity to withstand prolonged water deficits (17). Urban environments introduce additional challenges: compacted or contaminated soils, high surface temperatures due to impervious cover, and limited rooting space all contribute to lower survival rates (1, 2). In poorly drained or nutrient-deficient soils, seedlings struggle to compete with existing vegetation (13). The growing frequency of extreme weather events, such as forest fires, floods, drought and heavy storms, further complicates efforts to ensure successful survival of younger trees (17). Biotic Stress: Animals and Pathogens Biotic factors such as herbivory (foe example, by deer, rodents, or insects) and pathogens are another major cause of early seedling mortality (11). In natural systems, these pressures can help maintain species diversity (11, 12). On the other hand, in reforestation efforts and urban contexts, they represent a considerable risk to young plantings. For example, bark beetles represent a significant danger for needle trees in Germany, demonstrated by map on the left. Without adequate protective measures, seedlings are highly vulnerable to browsing damage or diseases, particularly when already weakened by environmental stressors (3). Urban Challenges: Infrastructure and Maintenance Gaps Urban seedlings face unique pressures. Beyond environmental and biological stress, city-planted trees often contend with root space limitations, air and soil pollution, and human interference (2). Additionally, many municipalities or private developers lack the resources or planning frameworks to provide adequate post-planting maintenance during the critical establishment period. Research, however, consistently shows that tree performance in urban settings improves significantly with consistent care and infrastructure planning that prioritizes green space resilience (1, 2, 3), providing hope for all involved parties in the success of tree planting efforts. Nursery and Planting Practices Adaquate planting processes are crucial for seedlings to reach maturity The quality of nursery-grown stock plays a key role in seedling survival. Poorly developed root systems, inadequate hardening-off, or planting outside the optimal season can all increase mortality risk (8, 15). Stress encountered during the production phase can result in seedlings that are ill-equipped to transition to field conditions (16). Conversely, seedlings grown under optimal nursery conditions - with attention to root structure, hardiness, and site-specific adaptations - demonstrate markedly better survival and growth (7, 16). Lack of Monitoring and Adaptive Management One of the most overlooked factors in seedling mortality is the absence of effective post-planting monitoring. Many large-scale initiatives report success based on the number of trees planted rather than those that survive and thrive (4, 18). Without follow-up, adaptive management, or scheduled replacement strategies, early losses can go unnoticed - eroding the long-term impact of tree planting investments. The Solution Seedling mortality is not an inevitable cost of planting - it is a solvable challenge. By understanding its causes and incorporating science-based strategies into planting and management workflows, organizations can significantly improve tree survival rates. Whether the goal is carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, or urban resilience, the long-term success of tree planting projects depends not on how many trees go into the ground - but how many grow into the canopy. Leaf.it ’s seedling protection product is designed specifically to address these challenges.  By shielding young trees from environmental stressors, herbivory, and human interference, our solution plays a critical role in improving survival rates and maximizing the impact of every planting effort. It’s an investment not only in tree protection - but in the long-term success of your sustainability goals. Read more about our tree planting insights at the next post! References Nowak, D.J., & Greenfield, E.J. (2012). "Tree and impervious cover change in U.S. cities." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 11(1), 21-30.  McPherson, G., et al. (2016). "Urban tree performance & maintenance in North America." Ecological Applications, 26(7), 2315-2332. Roman, L.A., et al. (2014). "Urban tree mortality: a literature review." Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, 40(5), 189-202. Conway, T.M., & Urbani, L. (2007). "Variability in urban tree mortality rates and implications for tree replacement." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 6(4), 181-190. Nowak, D.J., & Dwyer, J.F. (2007). "Understanding the benefits and costs of urban forest ecosystems." Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast, 25(4), 25-46. Grote, R., et al. (2016). "Urban trees and air quality." Environmental Pollution, 216, 482-491. Grossnickle, S.C. (2000). "Ecophysiology of northern spruce species: The performance of planted seedlings." NRC Research Press. Landis, T.D. (2013). "Seedling quality and reforestation success." USDA Forest Service Proceedings, RMRS-P-68. Fenner, M. (1987). "Seedlings" New Phytologist, 106(S1), 35-47. Wellington, A.B., & Noble, I.R. (1985). "Seedling mortality due to drought and grazing in Eucalyptus woodlands." Australian Journal of Ecology, 10(1), 117-125. Janzen, D.H. (1970). "Herbivores and the number of tree species in tropical forests." The American Naturalist, 104(940), 501-528. Connell, J.H. (1971). "On the role of natural enemies in preventing competitive exclusion in some marine animals and in rain forest trees." Dynamics of Populations, 298-312. Keizer, P.J., et al. (1985). "Seedling establishment and vegetation interactions in nutrient-poor soils." Oecologia, 68(4), 545-550. Bréda, N., et al. (2006). "Forest tree responses to drought: What have we learned?" Tree Physiology, 26(4), 389-403. Davis, A.S., et al. (2011). "Nursery practices influence seedling stress resistance and field performance." Tree Physiology, 31(6), 569-579. ​Pawłowski et al., D. J. (2024). Climate legacy in seed and seedling traits of European beech populations European State Forest Association AISBL. (2020). Forest dieback/damages in European State Forests and measures to combat it. https://eustafor.eu/uploads/Forest-dieback-in-Europe-and-measures-to-combat-it_aug.pdf Projects monitoring in Europe: a rigorous process for assessing the health of restored ecosystems. (2024, June 4). Reforest’Action. https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/monitoring-projects-europe-2023

Thourghout the past two week, we had the privilege of participating in a tree planting initiative organized by Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap at Staelduinse Bos. Alongside other volunteers, we planted around 700 trees in just two and a half hours, gaining valuable hands-on experience and insights into the challenges and considerations involved in reforestation efforts. As a company dedicated to seedling protection, this experience provided us with key learnings that will shape the development of our products. Let’s dive into these insights now! Key insights for seedling protection: Adaptability is essential : The wide range of tree species and varying stem diameters mean that a single design will not suffice. A flexible approach is needed to accommodate different tree types. Environmental factors must be considered : Soil conditions, leaf cover, and seasonal changes all influence the effectiveness of protection solutions. Ease of application is crucial : Products must be quick and simple to install so as not to slow down the planting process. Rethinking hydration management : Ensuring that protection systems do not inadvertently trap water and cause freezing issues is essential for winter resilience. Tree Planting Density and Growth One of the most striking aspects of the planting process was the density in which trees were planted: approximately one meter apart. The rationale behind this turned out to be twofold: first, more than half of the young trees will not survive, and second, trees benefit from being in close proximity, as they push each other to grow stronger and more resilient. This insight underlines the importance of fostering natural competition while accounting for inevitable seedling loss, which we hope to later address with our product. Minimal Hydration and Animal Interference Issues Unlike in many forests across contintal Europe, the seedlings at Staelduinse Bos do not face significant hydration challenges, nor are they heavily impacted by wildlife. The local environment provides sufficient moisture, reducing the need for artificial hydration solutions. Similarly, animal interference is not a major concern, meaning protective measures against herbivores are not as crucial in this particular setting. However, conditions may differ in other locations, reinforcing the need for adaptable protection solutions. Use of Seedling Protection in Forest Management Interestingly, Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap does employ a tree seedling protection product: a cylindrical barrier placed around the stem. However, its primary function is not to shield against external threats but rather to make seedlings visible when clearing overgrown bushes in the forest. This underscores a unique and unexpected use case for protective measures, one that is more about identification and management than defense against environmental threats. Age and Variability of Seedlings The seedlings planted were between two to three years old, which was noted as relatively young for planting efforts. Additionally, a variety of tree species were planted, some with thin stems and others with considerably thicker bases. This diversity presents a challenge for seedling protection products like ours, as a “one-size-fits-all” solution is unlikely to be effective. Adaptability in size and structure will therefore be crucial when further designing our protective solutions. Soil Variability and Ground Conditions Even within the same planting site, soil conditions varied significantly. Some areas were solid and compact, while others were moist and sandy. The ground was also uneven and covered with leaves, which could pose issues when using protective products that rely on stable ground anchoring. Additionally, leaf cover could potentially block filtration systems features. Understanding these natural variations is key for developing products suited for diverse planting environments. Efficiency of Planting For experienced volunteers, planting each tree took approximately one minute or less. This efficiency highlights the need for protection solutions that do not significantly slow down the planting process. Any additional steps, such as affixing protection devices, must be seamlessly integrated into the workflow to ensure practical application in large-scale projects. Seasonal Considerations One of the potential drawbacks of using protective plates is the issue of water accumulation and freezing during winter. If water is trapped inside protective barriers, it could freeze and block hydration channels, ultimately harming the seedlings rather than aiding their survival. This is a critical consideration that must be addressed in future product designs to ensure year-round effectiveness. As we refine our product, we will incorporate these insights to create solutions that truly support the needs of reforestation initiatives. Our experience at Staelduinse Bos has been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our research and innovation in seedling protection. Stay tuned for further updates as we develop and test improved solutions to enhance the success of tree planting projects worldwide!

We are honored to announce that Leaf.it will be participating as a presenter in the 2025 edition of Erasmus Sustainability Days ! Find us at the Sustainability Career Fair in May at the Erasmus Sports building, where we will display our findings and our way of sustainable entrepreneurship, alongside a number of likeminded companies and professionals! Stay tuned, and check out the Erasmus Sustainability Hub for more information!

On a cold November morning, four members of our growing team took a trip to Amsterdam to represent Leaf.it in our next challenge: the 2024 Lineage Hackathon  competition, focusing on Food Chain Innovations against food waste . Although the theme of the event was not a perfect fit with our mission, the organizers insisted on our participation. The competition took place in the stunning Nemo Science Museum, and started off - following a nice breakfast - with a short speech from one of the the keynote speakers of the event, Toine Timmermans , founder of the prestigious Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling foundation. Then, after the introduction of the five judges, the pitches began. We competed with 16 other teams in 5 minute long pitches that were followed by 5 minute Q&A sessions. This proved to be a valuable experience, and a challenge that our team took exceptionally well, signified by the insightful, deliberate questions we got from the judges, and their supportive feedback later on. Once all teams finished their pitches, and the judges sat together to discuss the winning team, a celebratory announcement crowned the event. While we had the aspirations to win, we understood that, as our product is not centered around food waste, our chances to rank high were not the best. In the end, although we did not win, later conversations with the judges revealed that the Leaf.it was one of the runner ups out of the 17 teams. We are incredibly proud of our talented and dedicated team who not only represented Leaf.it , but outperformed many other start-ups in such a prestigious competition.  Of course, the praise was only a part of the experience our team took away from the event. We also got the chance to meet other young, aspirational entrepreneurs, as well as connect with the esteemed members of the jury, and get in-depth feedback from them. Our conversation with Sean Vanderelzen , the president of Lineage Europe, was especially insightful, and his genuine interest and excitement for our product was particularly inspiring to continue dreaming big with Leaf.it . We are grateful to Lineage for the chance to prove ourselves in this competition and hope to connect again in the future as a fully developed social start-up!

In the March of 2024, a team of five ambitious business student joined the official start-up competition of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. They didn't have an established project name, let alone a logo when applying for the competition, only a business idea and their own dedication to make it come true. What emerged out of this experience? Well, more than just a refined brand name and delicate logo. The team, our team, developed into a real venture, equipped with all the tools to confidently embark on our journey to bring Leaf.it  to life. Throughout the 6 months of the competition, our team took part in various activities that enabled our transition from idea to venture. We participated in workshops centered around, for example, Idea validation and Pitching , both of which helped us better understand and define our own unique offering. Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet industry professionals through a Speed dating event, which helped us put our goals and challenges as an aspiring social start-up more in perspective. Finally, through the required mid-term and final deliverables, we got to translate our new experiences into action, completing our first pitch-decks, prototype sketches and, among others, product descriptions. We are beyond grateful for having had this opportunity to challenge ourselves and connect to other entrepreneurs and change-makers. The Erasmus University Challenge developed us as a team and a venture, and enabled us to be here now as Leaf.it , Europe's most innovative seedling protection venture!