The innovative COCOON planting technology enables trees and plants to grow in arid conditions, revitalizing ecosystems and communities.

  • Low-cost – 10 x cheaper than traditional tree planting
  • 100% biodegradable – COCOON dissolves into organic substrate for the plant
  • Low maintenance – after planting, NO follow up irrigation or maintenance

The COCOON is designed to support a seedling through its critical first year. By providing water and shelter while stimulating the seedling to produce a healthy and deep root structure, tapping into the sub-surface water supply within its first year. This way, the COCOON produces independant, strong trees which are not reliant on external irrigation and can survive harsh conditions.

Trees have been planted with the COCOON in more than 20 countries with survival rates of 80-95%.

The water reservoir

The water reservoir is made of paper pulp, crop residuals or grasses and other FDA improved organic compounds to ensure water tightness during the first year. It is only filled once during planting. Water is sparsely transported to the tree using wicks. As the reservoir degrades and empties over time, the remaining shallow pits will serve as a micro-catchment to collect surface runoff during rain events. Additionally, the degraded reservoir becomes organic substrate ameliorating the soil.

Mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi are added to the soil surrounding the roots of the plant. They increase the surface absorbing area of roots 100 to a 1,000 times. This improves access to soil moisture as well to the soil’s nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi also release enzymes into the soil that dissolve hard-to-capture nutrients, such as organic nitrogen, phosphorus and, iron commonly fixed on to the soil complex. These fungi are present in 90% of natural forests and woodlands and form a critical, symbiotic relationship with the roots.

Tree shelter

A cylindrical shelter is placed around the tree to protect the plant against the sun, desiccating winds and smaller animals feeding on the young plant.

Sourced from the Land Life Company website: http://www.landlifecompany.com/products.html     The linked site shows a short video with instructions on how to use the device.

If the “cocoon” is not available for sale in Australia,  perhaps one could consider making a similar device using wastepaper Papier-mâché containers. It shouldn’t be too hard to construct some moulds.