China's 66 Billion Great Green Wall Trees Grow Faster Than Natural Forests

3 articles · Updated · Livescience.com · Jul 4

New research found trees in China's Great Green Wall are growing significantly faster than trees in natural forests.
66 billion trees have been planted along China's northern borders to slow the spread of the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, making the finding notable for one of the world's biggest afforestation drives.
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide may be driving the faster growth through a stronger tree response, though researchers said the exact reason remains unclear.
The result adds to evidence that China's large-scale environmental engineering projects can reshape ecosystems on a vast scale, with implications for desert control and forest management.

Sources

Livescience.com8h ago

China's 'Great Green Wall' Trees Grow Faster Than Natural Forests

NewsX7h ago

The 'Wall Of Trees' Explained: What Is This Massive Green Barrier, Its Benefits, How Big Is It, And Why Is It Being Compared To China's Great Wall?

AS USA11h ago

China began planting millions of trees in 1978: five decades later, the 'Great Green Wall' is consuming natural forests - AS USA

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Building China’s Green Great Wall: How the World’s Largest Afforestation Effort is Transforming Landscapes and Livelihoods

Overview

China’s Green Great Wall, led by the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program since 1978, is the world’s largest afforestation project, aiming to combat desertification across 13 provinces and finish by 2050. As of 2026, these efforts have shown remarkable results: large-scale tree planting in dry regions has boosted carbon storage, supporting global climate goals. The strategy has evolved to focus not just on planting trees, but also on holistic ecological and socioeconomic outcomes, integrating environmental restoration with community well-being and national climate commitments for a more sustainable future.

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