Tree and Non-Tree Classifications on TerraMatch

This article explains how TerraMatch defines trees as opposed to non-tree plants.

Article Outline

TerraMatch Tree Definition

TerraMatch Tree vs. Non-Tree Designations

Commonly-Reported Non-Tree Species

TerraMatch Tree Definition

The restoration projects on TerraMatch implement a wide range of restoration activities across diverse geographies and target land use types. Because of this variation, and the large number of species grown across projects - both toward tree restoration goals and for other livelihood improvement activities - it is important to have a shared definition of what a tree is.

There is no single, universal definition of "tree." Definitions vary depending on the context and are used for different purposes. On TerraMatch, the definition of a tree is: a woody perennial plant with a single stem that grows above 5m height and has a distinct canopy and branches and can grow above 5cm diameter at breast height. 

This definition allows TerraMatch's MRV teams to ensure:

• Reporting is comparable across programs and geographies
• Monitoring results are credible and auditable
• Tree outcomes can be verified consistently using TerraMatch's remote-sensing and field monitoring techniques
• Expectations are clear for champions from the project design stage through verification

TerraMatch Tree vs. Non-Tree Designations

In TerraMatch, classification is guided by monitoring and verification needs, not by strict botanical science.

Two core criteria are used:

1. Ecological Function

A species is considered a tree in TerraMatch if it generally:

• Develops a woody, perennial structure
• Reaches a distinct vertical height (5m and above) and has a distinct stem and crown clearly branched
• Contributes to long-term canopy cover, biomass accumulation, and ecosystem structure
• Plays a sustained role in services such as carbon storage, shade, soil stabilization, or habitat provision (biodiversity improvement).

Species that are herbaceous, short-lived, or primarily managed as crops-even if perennial—may not meet this functional threshold.

1. Detectability in Monitoring and Verification

For MRV purposes, a tree must meet the criteria required by the following remote sensing datasets:

• Tropical Tree Cover (TTC), Sentinel-derived 10m tree cover % dataset: The species must be woody vegetation that is either >5m in height regardless of a canopy diameter or is between 3 and 5m in height with a minimum 5m diameter canopy. Tall herbaceous vegetation such as sugarcane, bananas, and cacti, and short woody crops such as tea and coffee were not considered trees for the purposes of generating labeled training and testing data.
• Tree Count, identifies the locations of trees in high-resolution Vantor imagery: The species must have a defined crown and be planted in a density less than 1600 trees/ha. 

If a plant cannot be consistently detected or verified through TTC or Tree Count methods, it is classified as a non-tree for TerraMatch reporting. These can still be funded under special initiatives like “non-tree initiatives” but are not reported in the tree indicator. 

Additional Notes and Guidance:

• These classifications are not necessarily scientific judgments about the value or legitimacy of a species, they are monitoring and verification decisions, made to ensure accuracy, consistency, and credibility of reported results within the projects that are housed on TerraMatch
• A species classified as “non-tree” may still be ecologically important, economically valuable, and fully aligned with restoration and livelihood goals.
• We encourage you to report planting of non-tree species (e.g., bananas, cassava, grasses, shrubs) every time you include them in your “non-tree” initiatives, explaining livelihood benefits, system design, or restoration logic.
• Reporting non-tree planting when it is not specifically included in the funded project design is optional, not mandatory.
• Only species classified as trees will contribute to official tree numbers and tree cover metrics in TerraMatch.

This approach allows TerraMatch to maintain robust, trusted and verifiable tree data, while still recognizing and supporting the broader restoration and livelihood activities implemented by champions.

Commonly-Reported Non-Tree Species

Non-Tree but Reporting Required for TerraFund

Bamboo

• Dendrocalamus asper
• Oldeania alpina
• Bambusa
• Bambusa vulgaris
• Bambusa balcooa
• Dendrocalamus giganteus

Cassava

• Manihot carthaginensis subsp. Glaziovii

Cocoa

• Theobroma cacao
• Coffea
• Coffea arabica
• Coffea canephora

Fruit

• Musa acuminata

Non-Tree and Reporting Not Required for TerraFund

Cassava

• Manihot esculenta

Fruit

• Carica papaya
• Passiflora edulis
• Solanum betaceum
• Piper nigrum
• Cajanus cajan
• Rhamnus prinoides
• Grewia ferruginea
• Sesbania sesban
• Vernonia amygdalina