Understanding homestead tree holdings is important for developing local conservation and livelihood strategies. However, relative to urban homesteads, tree holdings in rural African homesteads remain little studied, especially in semi‐arid settings. Using ecological and household surveys, this paper examines homestead tree composition, uses and challenges in Checheche, Zimbabwe. In total, 1,594 trees were encountered across 147 homesteads. Nearly, all homesteads (99%) had trees, and most of them were primarily planted for fruits and shade. Fuelwood, traditional medicines, windbreak and homestead decoration were considered as secondary benefits. Overall, tree density was approximately 112 trees/ha, with an average of 11 ± 7.1 trees per homestead. Homestead tree holdings were explained by age and gender of respondent, homestead ownership and importance attached to and knowledge of trees. Challenges to tree planting mentioned include termites, diseases, livestock damage, high temperatures, water shortages and poor quality soils. Overall, this study shows that homestead tree planting is widespread in semi‐arid rural settings but constraints to tree planting ought to be addressed to optimise the benefits from trees. Further research is needed to fully understand the socioecological context that explains tree survival, as a basis for developing interventions for enabling homestead tree planting.

中文翻译：

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宅基地树木的所有权：津巴布韦东南洛维德的Checheche增长点的组成，用途和挑战

了解家园树木的所有权对于制定当地的保护和生计策略很重要。但是，相对于城市宅基地而言，非洲农村宅基地中的树木所有权仍然很少得到研究，尤其是在半干旱地区。通过生态调查和家庭调查，本文研究了津巴布韦切切什的宅基地树木组成，用途和面临的挑战。总共在147个家园中遇到了1,594棵树。几乎所有家园（99％）都有树木，其中大多数主要是种植水果和树荫。薪材，传统药物，防风林和宅基地装饰被认为是次要利益。总体而言，树木密度约为112棵树/公顷，每个宅基地平均为11±7.1棵树。用受访者的年龄和性别来解释家园树木的所有权，宅基地所有权以及对树木的重视和知识。提到的植树挑战包括白蚁，疾病，牲畜破坏，高温，缺水和土壤质量差。总体而言，这项研究表明，宅基地植树在半干旱的农村地区十分普遍，但是应该解决植树的限制，以最大程度地利用树木带来的好处。需要进一步研究以充分理解解释树木存活的社会生态环境，以此作为制定干预措施以实现植树造林的基础。这项研究表明，宅基地植树在半干旱的农村环境中十分普遍，但应解决植树的限制条件，以优化树木的效益。需要进一步研究以充分理解解释树木存活的社会生态环境，以此作为制定干预措施以实现植树造林的基础。这项研究表明，宅基地植树在半干旱的农村环境中十分普遍，但应解决植树的限制条件，以优化树木的效益。需要进一步研究以充分理解解释树木存活的社会生态环境，以此作为制定干预措施以实现植树造林的基础。