A Technical Guide : Choosing the Right Trees to Boost Ecosystem Services in Tea Systems of Northern Laos

Shade trees are key partners for tea producers when well managed. Keeping tea plants 3–6 meters from shade trees gives the best mix of yield, soil protection, and good tea quality. Too close, tea grows less but soils stay cool and covered; too far, yields rise but the soil loses protection.

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Field Value
Type of ALiSEA product Agroecology Insights
Title A Technical Guide : Choosing the Right Trees to Boost Ecosystem Services in Tea Systems of Northern Laos
Description Shade trees are key partners for tea producers when well managed. Keeping tea plants 3–6 meters from shade trees gives the best mix of yield, soil protection, and good tea quality. Too close, tea grows less but soils stay cool and covered; too far, yields rise but the soil loses protection.
Agroecology Category
    Agroecology Keyword
      Contributing organisations CIRAD and PAFO
      Author Philippe Tixier, Khamboua Keovilay, Hoa Tran Quoc
      Year 2025
      Type of document Practical how-to
      Language English
      Country Lao PDR
      Administrative Level 1
      Administrative Level 2
      Web Link