Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tree Planting Campaigns in Urban Zaria, Kaduna State

Urban tree planting campaigns are promoted as low-cost nature-based solutions to urban heat, air quality degradation, and aesthetic improvement in Nigerian cities, yet rigorous post-planting survival and growth assessments are rarely conducted. This study evaluates the effectiveness of municipal tree planting campaigns in urban Zaria, Kaduna State, between 2020 and 2024. An inventory of trees planted under three campaign rounds was compiled from Zaria Local Government records, and field surveys verified the survival status, growth performance, and maintenance condition of 630 planted trees across twelve planting sites. Survival rates, basal area increment, and crown cover development were computed as effectiveness indicators. Interviews with 40 community members at planting sites assessed awareness and level of engagement with post-planting care activities. Results indicate an overall tree survival rate of only 44 percent across inventoried planting sites, with the highest mortality rates associated with roadside plantings on paved surfaces with limited soil volume and inadequate post-planting irrigation. Species selection was identified as a key factor, with exotic species recording consistently lower survival than indigenous dry-zone species such as Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa. Community involvement in watering and protection activities significantly improves survival outcomes at sites where formal community stewardship arrangements were established. The study recommends prioritising indigenous drought-tolerant species, mandatory three-year post-planting maintenance contracts, and community co-management agreements as conditions for future campaign funding releases. Keywords: urban tree planting, campaign effectiveness, Zaria, tree survival, urban forestry.