Trees on Farm
A farmer's guide to how agroforestry can grow your business.
Written with Geraint Richards OBE MVO FICFor, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King, Trees on Farm shares stories from farmers across the UK who are proving how trees can boost profitability whilst improving resilience against the climate crisis.
Bruce and Jane Mackie
Their 240-hectare organic mixed dairy farm has been transformed thanks to strategic planting. They initially planted trees in awkward field corners, gradually building a connected network of small woodlands across their farm, which now benefits from more biodiversity, reduced soil erosion and healthier livestock.Â
“We have woods the same age as our two boys,” Bruce explains. “They mark milestones in our lives. What I find exciting is that with neighbouring farmers joining in to plant small areas, the cumulative effect is much greater. This will bring benefits for wildlife and change the look of the countryside for the better.”Â
Photo credit: Craig Stephens
There are many benefits that trees can offer family farm businesses, including:
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New income streams
in the form of timber, fruit and nuts.
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Livestock wellbeing
providing vital shelter from harsh winds, and shade during increasingly hot summers.
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Improved soil health
through deeper roots that help with drainage and reaching nutrients.
Read more in Trees on Farm:
Further reading and resources
From The Royal Countryside Fund
A-Zero: A farmer’s guide to breaking free from environmental jargon
The Great Grazing Guide: Money-saving tips for livestock farmers
Savings in Soil: A practical guide for farmers to boost soil health and improve your businesses
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Other resources
AFINET: Agroforestry Innovation Networks: a thematic network aimed to foster the
exchange and the knowledge transfer between scientists and practitioners in agroforestry
The Agroforestry Handbook, The Soil Association.
Climate Farm Demo: a European-wide network of pilot farmers implementing and
demonstrating climate-smart solutions.
Ecological Site Classification: to help to select trees that are ecologically suited
to particular sites.
The European Agroforestry Federation: represents agroforestry associations from
across Europe.
The Plant Healthy certification scheme helps to easily identify businesses and organisations
that grow, trade and manage plants to high standards of plant health and biosecurity.
Temperate Agroforestry Systems, CABI Books.
Tree Species Guide for UK Agroforestry Systems, Forestry Research and the
University of Reading.
How to get involved
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