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This article addresses the potential land use conflict between trees and cattle. The search for pasture frequently leads to the large-scale destruction of trees yet, paradoxically, when grazing land is under stress the retention of trees becomes ever more important to sustain the productive capacity of the land. Communal grazing is a vitally important land use in southern Africa, but it is increasingly under stress. Through a series of case studies, the article explores ways of maintaining a productive environment by turning the potential adversaries of cattle and trees into allies. To achieve this goal will require an integrated land use approach which overcomes the institutional boundaries of rangeland management, forestry, energy planning and agricultural extension.