AGROFORESTRY FIELD GUIDE 6

Farmer managed natural

regeneration (FMNR)
Restore Africa: Restoring
Landscapes and Livelihoods in
East and Southern Africa with
Climate Asset Management
Programme

FMNR is a practice where living stumps

and roots of previously felled trees are
Authors: allowed to reshoot, or wildings of self-
Everlyne Obwocha,
sown seeds are allowed to grow. Trees
Anthony Kimaro, Kennedy Muthee,
Steven Ouma, Gerald Muinde, are selected through the thinning of
Jolly Kayiita, Edward Meleki and saplings /coppicing, and pruned to
Phosiso Sola. promote and protect sturdy regrowth.
April 2025
Acknowledgements

This publication is part of a series of agroforestry field guides for the

Global EverGreening Alliance’s Restore Africa: Restoring Landscapes and
Livelihoods in in East and Southern Africa with Climate Asset Management
Programme. These guides aim to empower extension staff and farmers
with knowledge and options for integrating trees in restoration, livelihood
and carbon projects. The programme is currently being implemented
through a consortium of partners led World Vision and Catholic Relief
Service in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda respectively. The Centre for
International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)
is providing technical support.
 A GRO F O RESTRY F I EL D GU I DE 6

1. What is farmer managed natural

regeneration (FMNR)?
• FMNR is the deliberate and managed regrowth of trees from existing
tree stumps with the ability to re-sprout, from sprouting root systems,
or from wildings (self-sown seeds) already present in the landscape.
FMNR is largely practiced in arid and semi-arid regions, where rainfall is
unevenly distributed and ranges from 100–950 mm per year (Binam et
al. 2015).

• In these regions, low moisture, high temperatures, prolonged dry

periods and recurrent droughts are key factors limiting tree survival,
with tree planting campaigns typically having survival rates of 20
percent or less (Tougiani et al. 2009).

Trees regenerating
from stumps.

FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR) 1

 AG R O FO R EST R Y F IE L D G U ID E 6

Regeneration from roots.

Fallen seeds from animal
waste germinating.

2. Benefits of FMNR
Faster growth
• Regenerated trees establish and grow faster than when planted.
This leads to quick benefits for farmers such as increased firewood
from pruned branches, increased income from selling wood, reduced
wind damage, improved fodder availability, and increased crop yields
(Nakyeyune et al. 2018).

Adaptability
• Trees under FMNR are usually well-adapted to drought, pests and fires,
thereby making it possible to achieve high survival rates at low cost.
• FMNR can be practised on grazing and agricultural land, and in
degraded forests (Rinaudo 2019; Chomba et al. 2020).

Short-term benefits
• FMNR is a simple intervention to adopt, with the outcomes being felt
within a short time generating both ecological and social benefits (CRS
2023), thereby leading to improved land management, ecotourism sites,
bioenergy/fuelwood, and fodder for livestock.
• Regrown trees and shrubs help restore soil structure and fertility,
reduce erosion and soil moisture evaporation, rehabilitate springs and
the water table, and increase biodiversity (Nakyeyune et al. 2018).

2 FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR)

 A GRO F O RESTRY F I EL D GU I DE 6

Low cost
• FMNR is mostly practised using local skills and resources.
• Most activities are locally led once people are trained (Muriuki et
al. 2020).

Women
demonstrating
how to prune a
tree using locally
available tools.

Land restoration
• FMNR leads to increased tree cover, improved soil health, enhanced water
retention, and the potential for increased biodiversity and community
resilience, especially when combined with soil and water conservation
practices.

Biodiversity improvement
• FMNR promotes biodiversity by increasing the number and diversity of
tree species, creating microclimate and habitats, and supporting a wider
range of plant and animal life (Odisi Netaji et al. 2023).
• Thus, in every FMNR intervention all tree species should be nurtured – by
including herbs and excluding invasive species – to improve biodiversity
and support current and future livelihood options.

3. FMNR key steps

i. Designate area

• Identify and designate an area for re-generating trees.

• Protect/enclose the area to minimize disturbance by animals to allow

tree wildings/saplings/seedlings to germinate from the soil seed bank.

• Protect beyond browse height (Muriuki et al. 2022).

FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR) 3

 AG R O FO R EST R Y F IE L D G U ID E 6

• Survey the land, selecting wildings regenerating from tree stumps, and
wildings/saplings/seedlings growing from seeds under mother trees or
dispersed by wind, birds, animals (including humans) etc. (Rinaudo et al.
2019).

• Identify tree saplings and young trees that are less than TWO metres
in height and 5cm in diameter at breast height (dbh).

- Tree species selected for regeneration are determined by the

farmers or landowners provided the species are non-invasive and
have longevity (live long).
- The selection of tree species often depends on the value that
farmers or landowners place to them, influenced by their intended
uses, and past experiences regarding how the tree grow (Tree
management objective).
- Tree species choices can differ between communities, and among
individual farmers

A typical FMNR site.

ii. Tree selection

• FMNR best suits native/indigenous tree species following their ability to

coppice (Rinaudo et al. 2019).
• For naturally growing seedlings, clear surrounding weeds and clearly
identify the selected ones for preservation Seedlings can be marked by
placing a clearly visible indicator, such as a brightly coloured ribbon,
bright paint or by putting a peg or a stake near the seedling for easy
identification.
• Marking helps distinguish seedlings from weeds, reducing the risk of
their accidental removal during weeding.

4 FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR)

 A GRO F O RESTRY F I EL D GU I DE 6

• Select the best stems (those

that look healthier and are
straighter). If the selected
stems are still very young, they
should be gently tied together
with string to provide support.
This is important because the
removal of excess coppices Tying coppices
or shoots can loosen the together using
local banana
remaining ones from the stump, leaves or string.
making them unstable and
susceptible to wind and animal
damages.

iii. Tree management practices

• Propping involves using rigid structures, like posts or poles anchored in

the ground to support tree branches or trunks, often to prevent failure
or extend the tree’s lifespan.
• It is advisable to support thin and weak stems or young trees from
falling by tying the stem to a strong adjacent tree, or by use of firm
poles or stakes used as temporary supports.

iv. Thinning

• Wildlings usually germinate as many seedlings that are very close to

each other, with some being weaker. Thinning allows sunlight and air
to penetrate for high value trees.
• Evaluate tree density, identify crowded areas and look for weaker/
deformed/tangling branches etc.
• Tinning should aim at reaching the desired number of stems per
hectare for 30 years in each particular agroforestry implementation
practice (AIP) (see guides 2, 3 and 4).
• Silvicultural thinning has the advantage of stimulating tree growth,
and it is recommended to be done just before the canopy closure,
which can be at 7 to 12 years depending on the tree species.
• Thinning during drier conditions or during the dry season reduces the
risk of fungal infections or other issues that can arise from cutting trees
during the wet season when humidity is high.

FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR) 5

 AG R O FO R EST R Y F IE L D G U ID E 6

• In Resaf, thinning should aim at reaching the desired stand density for
each particular AIP.
- Tree density on the plot where FMNR is being practised will
depend on the AIP the farmer is adopting on that particular piece
of land (refer to guides 2, 3 and 4).
- For woodlots derived from FMNR, trees can be selectively thinned
to 100 trees per hectare (10 m x 10 m spacing) as detailed in the
tree spacing guide.
- For silvopastoral practices, trees can be thinned to 20–45 trees
per hectare (15 m x 15 m to 22 m x 22 m spacing) at maturity.
- Enrichment planting can be practised when trees have matured.
- In plots where regenerating trees do not meet the desired
stand density, a farmer is at liberty to introduce new trees
through planting if possible. This also includes enrichment planting
of up to 20 percent.
- Removal of undesirable trees through thinning must end on or
before the baseline date.
- Trees more than 2 meters in height should not be removed
- Young trees of less than 2 meters can be removed through
thinning
- Correct spacing and densities must be attained before the
baseline is established.

v. Pruning

• Most indigenous trees are self-pruning. However, in instances where a

farmer wants to prune the trees:
- Low pruning using correct tools is encouraged to preserve carbon
in tree branches;
- High pruning, especially through the mid-crown is not allowed.

• Pruning is best done during tree dormancy – typically towards the end
of the dry season or early rainy season – to conserve energy, promote
faster healing and reduce disease or pest risks. However, optimal timing
varies by species, so pruning schedules should be adjusted accordingly.
• Examples of species that can be pruned during the dry season include
Acacia tortilis, Acacia senegal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Faidherbia albida and
Terminalia sericea. These species are well adapted to arid and semi-arid
environments, and can be pruned during the dry season to remove
dead or damaged branches without causing excessive stress (Kariuki et
al. 2023).

6 FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR)

 A GRO F O RESTRY F I EL D GU I DE 6

• Species such as Juniperus spp, Moringa

oleifera, Ficus spp and Acacia nilotica benefit
from early rainy season pruning to maintain
the health of the tree and manage their
overall tree growth and vigour.
• Pruning should generally be avoided
during the wet season, particularly during
heavy rainfall, as excessive moisture can
slow down trees’ natural healing process
(Muthama et al. 2021).
• Prune using locally available razor-sharp
A farmer in
tools to avoid injuring trees. pruning a tree
• Where possible, pruning should be done in using a sharp
panga machete.
an upward motion to avoid stripping of the
bark and exposing it to pests and diseases.

4. Don’ts in FMNR
Avoid regeneration of invasive species
• Invasive tree species are non-native trees that establish,
spread and cause ecological or economic harm to native
ecosystems (Smith et al. 2022).
X • Invasive tree species disrupt native ecosystem structures
by outcompeting indigenous plants for light, water and
nutrients, leading to reduced biodiversity.

Avoid slash and burn to allow regeneration

• Slash and burn generally involves alternating periods of
cultivation with extended fallow phases allowing the land
to regenerate through the natural growth of dense, woody
X vegetation, and where biomass is eliminated from the
plot by cutting, slashing and burning it prior to the next
cultivation cycle (Angelsen and Kaimowitz 2001).
• This happens in search of land for farming to clear existing
vegetation and trees, and to temporarily enrich the soil with
nutrients through the burn-off.

Burning bushes kills regenerating trees

• ‘Bush clearing’ refers to the removal of woody vegetation,
including bushes and trees, to prepare land for farming
activities or other purposes, such as planting crops or
X grazing livestock (FAO 1990).

FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR) 7

 AG R O FO R EST R Y F IE L D G U ID E 6

• This happens mostly to allow fresh and robust regeneration

of grass in pasture lands towards the rainy season.

Avoid killing standing trees by way of setting fire just

below the stem
• The prescribed burning beneath the trees affects new
regeneration if the residuals trees are not protected (USDA
X
1989).

Debarking trees will not allow regeneration

• Debarking, which refers to the removal of the bark of a
plant (Williams et al. 2007), interferes with the exchange of
materials, and can lead to the death of the tree (Delvaux et
X al. 2010), and impacts regeneration negatively.
• The barks are primarily used for medicinal purposes,
i.e., as local medicine, or for livestock feeding.

Avoid uprooting or grinding tree stumps

• Stump uprooting, or stump removal, involves completely
excavating a tree stump and its root system from the
ground.
X • This happens especially in charcoal burning regions where
all trees have been cut, and charcoal producers go for the
remaining stumps.

Pollarding is not allowed

• Pollarding is cutting the tree at a higher level—usually
around 2 to 3 meters above the ground (Harmer, 2004).
• Pollarding reduces the tree crown volume and overall
X stem and branch biomass
• This method is often practiced to encourage the tree to
produce a dense crown of new growth out of reach of
animals or to manage tree size in urban or silvopastoral
systems (Harmer, 2004).
• Pollarding is not allowed in the project because it involves
cutting back significant portions of the tree, which directly
reduces the amount of carbon stored in stems and
branches.
• Since carbon credits are earned based on the accumulation
and retention of above-ground biomass, removal through
pollarding leads to quantifiable carbon losses, which
negatively affect project outcomes (Chave et al., 2014).

8 FARMER MANAGED NATURAL REGENERATION (FMNR)

References
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to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Global Change Biology,
20(10), 3177–3190.
FAO. 2015. Global guidelines for the restoration of degraded forests and landscapes
in drylands: Building resilience and benefiting livelihoods. By Berrahmouni N,
Regato P, Parfondry M. Forestry Paper No. 175. Rome: Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations.
Hargrave B. 2010. Faidherbia albida, an important ‘Fertilizer Tree’. ECHO Development
Notes No. 107. http://edn.link/654d7b5
Harmer, R. (2004). Coppicing and Pollarding: Traditional Woodland Management.
Forestry Commission Practice Guide.
International Society of Arboriculture. 2021. Proper Mulching Techniques.
https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20
Tech_0321.pdf
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Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 4(7): 430–436.
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overexploited subtropical forests of the Paranaense region of Misiones, Argentina.
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and CCAFS West Africa. 6 July 2015.
AGROFORESTRY FIELD GUIDE 6
Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR)

FMNR is a practice where living stumps

and roots of previously felled trees are
allowed to reshoot, or wildings of self-sown
seeds are allowed to grow. Trees are selected
through the thinning of saplings /coppicing,
and pruned to promote and protect sturdy
regrowth.

Obwocha E, Kimaro A, Muthee K, Ouma S, Muinde G, Kayiita J, Meleki E, Sola P. 2025. Agroforestry
Field Guide 6: Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Restore Africa: Restoring Landscapes
and Livelihoods in East and Southern Africa with Climate Asset Management Programme. Bogor,
Indonesia: CIFOR; Nairobi, Kenya: ICRAF.

The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) harnesses
the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to address the most pressing global
challenges of our time – biodiversity loss, climate change, food security, livelihoods and inequity.
CIFOR and ICRAF are CGIAR Research Centers.
cifor-icraf.org