Green Gicumbi’s Hybrid Eucalyptus Clones: A Sustainable Approach to Climate Resilience

Tucked away in Rwanda’s Northern Province precisely in Gicumbi District, something remarkable is happening. The Green Gicumbi Project is planting special eucalyptus trees that might just help keep up with the climate resilience, keeping the region away from climate disaster.

These aren’t your average trees. They’re specially bred hybrid clones (GU7, GU8, and GC550) covering about 10 hectares in Gicumbi District. What makes them special? They grow incredibly fast, have super-dense wood, shrug off pests and diseases, and—perhaps most importantly—thrive in harsh conditions where other trees would struggle.

Rwanda needs solutions like this. The country gets hammered by floods, droughts, and landslides.

“These eucalyptus clones are climate-fighting powerhouses,” explains Innocent Ntawukirabizi, who works as an environmental officer on the project. “They suck up carbon, bring dead soil back to life, give people sustainable wood, and make energy use more efficient.”

It’s pretty impressive stuff—each hectare of these trees can absorb 10-15 tonnes of CO₂ yearly when conditions are right. Plus, when the wood gets used in buildings, that carbon stays locked away for decades.

But there’s more to love about these trees. Plant them on wrecked landscapes, and they help heal the soil, keep more water in the ground, and stop further damage. They’re like nature’s bandages for wounded land.

The trees also take pressure off native forests. Since they grow so quickly and produce so much usable wood, fewer trees need to be cut down overall. The project even uses eucalyptus biomass in special cookstoves that burn cleaner and use less fuel—a win for both forests and indoor air quality.

Beyond the super trees, Green Gicumbi has brought back over 2,050 hectares of forest using tough, climate-ready seedlings. The project spans nine areas of Gicumbi District: Rubaya, Cyumba, Kaniga, Mukarange, Rushaki, Shangasha, Manyagiro, Byumba, and Bwisige.

With $32 million from the Green Climate Fund, this six-year effort isn’t just planting trees—it’s building hope. By weaving these special eucalyptus clones into its strategy, Green Gicumbi is healing the land while creating sustainable livelihoods. It’s no wonder Gicumbi is becoming a blueprint for climate adaptation across Rwanda and beyond.