Across nine tea plots in Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR, the distance and species of shade trees were found to influence tea yield, quality and soil protection in different ways. This 2025 research brief examines how shade-tree design can help producers manage these trade-offs. Tea yields decline close to tree trunks, while moderate shade is associated with improved tea quality and better soil protection, showing that the benefits of integrating trees depend on how they are selected and positioned within plantations.

The findings point to tree spacing of approximately 3–6 metres and to the selection of species that provide multiple ecosystem services. Among the species assessed, Mak-Kho (Livistonia speciosa) performed particularly well. The results highlight the importance of considering not only crop productivity but also soil quality and biological activity when designing shaded tea systems. In this context, carefully managed shade can contribute to production systems that combine tea cultivation with functions associated with agroforestry and biodiversity conservation.

Prepared by Philippe Tixier of CIRAD, Khamboua Keovilay of PAFO Xieng Khouang, Sengphanh Sayphoumy of ASSET and Hoa Tran Quoc of CIRAD, the brief translates field observations into practical guidance for tea producers. It provides locally grounded evidence for choosing shade-tree species and spacing according to the services they provide, while recognizing the trade-offs between proximity to trees, tea yields, product quality and soil protection.