EcoTree 2026: Invest in Forests from €20

Investing with EcoTree is simple. 1) Create your account on ecotree.green. 2) Browse the available forests — each plot is described (region, species, age, potential). 3) Buy one or more trees from €20 per tree, or acquire a whole plot. 4) You become the legal owner of your trees — a deed of sale is issued. 5) EcoTree manages the forest through certified professional foresters. 6) At harvests (intermediate thinning and final cut), you receive your share of the timber-sale proceeds. Photos of your forest are available in your account. It is an unusual but real, tangible investment.

The return on forestry investment via EcoTree is hard to predict precisely, as it depends on tree growth, timber prices and harvest timing. EcoTree cites historical returns of 1% to 3% a year on average over the long term. It is not the market's highest yield, but it combines financial return with a positive environmental impact (carbon storage, biodiversity). Harvest proceeds (timber sales) make up most of the profitability, with land appreciation added over the long term. The horizon is 15 to 30 years depending on species — patience is required.

EcoTree offers different tree species by region and available plot. Conifer forests (spruce, Douglas fir): fast growth (15-20 years), construction timber, good market value. Broadleaf forests (oak, beech): slow growth (40-80 years), higher-quality wood (furniture, flooring), higher valuation at term. Mixed forests: a conifer/broadleaf combination for biodiversity. Each forest has its own page with location, species, age, area and revenue projections. EcoTree sources mainly in mainland France — an advantage for traceability and supporting French forestry.

Environmental impact is at the heart of EcoTree's model. Each planted tree stores CO2 throughout its life (an adult tree stores roughly 10-30 kg of CO2 a year depending on species). EcoTree forests support biodiversity: wildlife refuges, ecological corridors, soil conservation. EcoTree certifies its forestry practices to PEFC standards (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Businesses also use EcoTree to offset their carbon footprint — a B2B offering complementing the consumer products. This dual dimension (return + impact) sets EcoTree apart from purely financial investments.

Forestry investment carries specific risks. Climate risk: storms, droughts, fires and pest attacks (bark beetles) can partly or fully destroy a plot. EcoTree offers optional forestry insurance. Market risk: timber prices fluctuate with economic cycles. Liquidity risk: selling your trees before harvest is possible but the secondary market is limited. The long horizon (15-30 years) ties up capital. EcoTree is not capital-guaranteed and is not regulated as a financial product — it is real property ownership. Diversify by allocating no more than 5-10% of your wealth.

Forestry investment enjoys a favourable tax framework in France: forests are 75% exempt from the wealth tax (IFI) under certain management commitments, harvest gains get a 50% allowance with a simple management plan, and inheritance benefits from a 75% allowance — making forests an efficient wealth-transfer tool for French residents. (Tax treatment depends on your country of residence.) EcoTree also offers a B2B option for companies to offset their carbon footprint and show concrete environmental commitment: buying forests or sponsoring branded trees, gifting trees to staff or clients, and using carbon data for ESG reporting. This B2B side is a significant part of EcoTree's revenue and supports the consumer platform's viability.

EcoTree fits as an alternative investment decorrelated from financial markets. Forests do not track the stock market — they can add stability to an asset portfolio. A suggested sustainable mix: a world-ETF account + sustainable life insurance (Goodvest) + energy crowdfunding (Enerfip) + EcoTree (forests). Forests act as a long-term hedge against land inflation.

Our verdict: EcoTree is an unusual but concrete investment, ideal for savers wanting to give their wealth meaning. Strengths: real ownership of French trees, positive environmental impact (carbon, biodiversity), favourable French taxation, from €20, a deed of ownership, 60,000+ customers. Weaknesses: a very long horizon (15-30 years), modest returns (1-3%), climate risks, very low liquidity. Ideal as the "green" sleeve of a diversified portfolio, alongside more liquid investments like Bondora or Lumo.