Nairobi — Citing what it describes as extensive scientific findings, the government has given the popular but controversial eucalyptus tree a clean bill of health.

The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, backed by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, last week launched guidelines on where to plant the tree.

This development is significant because conflicting government policies have in the last two years led to confusion among farmers.

In some cases this led to costly destruction of immature trees following directives issued and supervised by over-zealous administrators.

That eucalyptus is an important tree has never been in doubt. What has been controversial is its perceived negative impact on the environment.

The new guidelines take these two factors into consideration and encourage farmers and commercial entities to increase their investment in the tree.

While citing research data to indicate that the tree's perceived danger to the environment is actually unfounded, the guidelines are categorical that it should not be planted near water bodies.

Farmers and other investors are advised to make sure they get the correct information on what species to grow for maximum benefits.

While eucalyptus, with about 100,000 hectares in the country may be the most farmed tree, the long-running controversy surrounding the species has in the last few years retarded its expansion.We hope these guidelines will finally put the debate to rest. But the government should also issue research-based policy guidelines on the establishment of the equally controversial bio-diesel tree - Jatropha curcas.

Many smallscale farmers and several major investors have been looking for guidance from the government on the suitability of the tree especially in expansive plantations.