'Unless such practices are brought to scale in farming communities worldwide, we will not benefit from the full value trees can bring to livelihoods and landscapes,' Garrity added.

'If planted systematically on farms, trees could improve the resiliency of farmers by providing them with food and income,' said Tony Simons, deputy director general at the WAC.

'Whilst Western Europe has some 250 native tree species and North America has a larger set of 600 trees species -- the developing tropics has a staggering 50,000 tree species to manage and utilise,' said Simons, according to a WAC release.

'For example, when crops and livestock fail, trees often withstand drought conditions and allow people to hold over until the next season.'