This research brief reveals how smart shade design can make Lao tea farms more productive and resilient. Across nine plots in Xieng Khouang, results show that trees shape everything: yield dips close to trunks, but tea quality and soil protection soar under moderate shade. Not all trees are equal, Mak-Kho (Livistonia speciosa) stands out as a top performer. The takeaway: space trees 3-6 m apart and choose service-rich species for better cups and safer soils.
