Reforest means to plant trees in an area where a forest once grew but was cut down or destroyed. When a company reforests land after logging, workers plant thousands of young seedlings to grow a new forest. When a community reforests a hillside damaged by wildfire, volunteers carefully place saplings in the scorched soil.

The process takes patience and planning. Trees grow slowly, so reforestation might take decades before the land looks like a forest again. Scientists choose which tree species to plant based on what grew there naturally and what will thrive in that soil and climate. They also consider what animals need those trees for food and shelter.

People reforest for many reasons: to provide homes for wildlife, to prevent soil erosion on steep slopes, to clean the air, or to grow timber for future use. After Hurricane Katrina damaged coastal forests in Louisiana, reforestation projects helped protect communities from future storms. When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, destroying vast forests, reforestation efforts eventually helped the landscape recover.

The opposite of reforest is deforest, which means to clear away forest land. While forests can regrow naturally over time, reforestation speeds up the process by deliberately planting trees where they're needed most.