People widely believe that if you cut down large trees, fruit trees or trees 'belonging' to another community member, it will result in disaster. These traditional beliefs and taboos act as a forestry code, ensuring that rural communities do not degrade their woodlands. This is done by simply extending their fences to enclose the annexed trees or by marking individual trees. In areas where the annexed land is small or not used by others, the practice is encouraged. However, in areas where there is little forest cover, this can lead to disputes among community members.
Women have two major constraints in managing their woodland resources.
Traditionally, a husband has legal control over any agricultural or forest products his wife generates. This means that divorcees lose all rights to the trees they planted during their marriage, along with their rights to live on their husband's property. Widows also have no legal rights over their late husband's trees. In addition, despite being the main collectors of fuelwood, fruits and fodder from trees, women have not often been represented on woodland management committees. Improving Communal Cattle Grazing Schemes Communal grazing schemes have existed in Zimbabwe for many years, allowing cattle and grazing areas to be used efficiently.