Does tentree really plant trees?

Tentree, a sustainable outdoor clothing company based in Canada, claims to plant 10 trees for every item purchased by their customers. But there has been some skepticism about whether they actually fulfill this promise. In this article, we will explore the evidence and shed some light on the question: Does tentree really plant trees?

History of tentree

Tentree was founded in 2012 by Dave Luba and Kalen Emsley, two friends who wanted to make a difference in the world. They started by selling t-shirts with nature-inspired designs, and soon expanded into other clothing items like hoodies, hats, and backpacks. The company's mission is to use sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes, and to plant trees to help reforest the planet.

How tentree plants trees

Tentree partners with tree planting organizations around the world to plant trees in areas that have been affected by deforestation or wildfires. They choose locations based on factors like the species of trees, the level of need for reforestation, and the impact on local communities. Tentree also uses technology like satellite imagery to track the progress of their tree planting efforts.

According to tentree, they have planted over 48 million trees to date, and have set a goal of planting 1 billion trees by 2030. They claim that their tree planting efforts have helped to restore habitat for wildlife, improve soil quality, and reduce carbon emissions.

Criticism of tentree

Despite tentree's commitment to sustainability and tree-planting, the company has faced criticism from some individuals and organizations. Some have raised concerns about the quality of the trees planted by tentree, as well as their long-term survival rate. Others have accused tentree of using their tree planting efforts as a marketing ploy, or of not providing enough transparency about their tree planting practices.

One specific criticism of tentree came in 2019, when a former employee alleged that the company did not actually plant the number of trees they claimed to. The employee claimed that tentree had planted significantly fewer trees than they had reported, and that some of the tree planting projects were not verified by independent third parties.

Response from tentree

In response to the criticisms, tentree has taken steps to address the concerns and improve their transparency. The company has hired an independent auditor to verify their tree planting efforts, and has published a report on their website detailing the number and locations of trees planted in 2020. Tentree has also pledged to be more transparent about their tree planting projects going forward, and to work with local communities to ensure that their efforts are sustainable and impactful.

Tentree has also responded directly to the allegation from the former employee, stating that they discovered discrepancies in their tree planting records and have taken steps to correct the issue. They emphasized that their overall commitment to sustainability and tree planting remains strong.

Conclusion

So, does tentree really plant trees? While there have been some criticisms and concerns raised about the company's tree planting efforts, it seems that tentree is taking steps to address these issues and improve their transparency. Their commitment to planting trees and promoting sustainability is an admirable goal, and it is clear that they have made significant progress in this area. As consumers, it is important to continue to hold tentree and other sustainable companies accountable for their actions and ensure that they are fulfilling their promises.