Overview
Forest's real tree planting feature transforms productivity into environmental impact. Users earn virtual coins through focused work sessions and can spend those coins to plant actual trees on Earth through the app's partnership with Trees for the Future.
How It Works
Earning Coins
- Plant a virtual tree when starting a focus session
- Stay focused for the duration (typically 30 minutes)
- Successfully completed sessions earn virtual coins
- Leaving the app kills your virtual tree and earns no coins
Planting Real Trees
- Accumulate enough virtual coins
- Exchange coins through the Forest app
- Trees for the Future plants a real tree
- Receive confirmation and location details
Environmental Impact
As of 2025:
- Over 1,500,000 real trees planted on Earth by Forest users
- Trees planted in multiple countries through Trees for the Future
- Direct contribution to reforestation efforts
- Carbon offset from user productivity
Trees for the Future Partnership
Trees for the Future is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that:
- Plants trees in sustainable agroforestry systems
- Works with communities in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Provides long-term food security and income
- Restores degraded lands
Gamification Psychology
The feature leverages multiple motivational principles:
- Tangible Impact: Virtual work creates real-world change
- Visual Progress: See your forest grow digitally and globally
- Social Good: Productivity benefits the environment
- Achievement: Milestone tracking for trees planted
User Engagement
Forest's social features allow users to:
- Share planted tree milestones
- Join team planting efforts
- Track global forest growth
- Celebrate environmental contributions
Recognition
This innovative feature contributed to Forest winning:
- 2018 Google Play Editors' Choice Top Productivity App
- 2018 Google Play Best Self-improvement App in 9 countries
- Over 2 million satisfied paying users globally
Educational Component
The app educates users about:
- Deforestation challenges
- Reforestation importance
- Sustainable development
- Connection between personal productivity and global impact
