Network launched to support woodland creation on farms and crofts

A new farmer-led network aiming to encourage farmers and crofters to consider woodland creation on Scottish land has launched.

The Integrating Trees Network, run by the Scottish Government and Scottish Forestry, is a new demonstrator network of farms, crofts and estates across Scotland, set up to raise awareness of the multiple benefits that planting trees can bring to an agricultural business.  

It will launch with two online events hosted by two farming families from Lanarkshire and Peeblesshire, with very different experiences of how woodland creation has boosted the viability of their businesses.

Speaking ahead of the first event, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Ben Macpherson said:

“The launch of the new Integrating Trees Network will promote the benefits of integrating trees on your land. It is led by farmers, and jointly facilitated by Scottish Government and Scottish Forestry. We want to encourage more trees to be planted on Scottish land, but always in the right place, for the right reason, and to give practical guidance as to how this can be achieved.

“We’re all aware that woodland creation has benefits for climate change and wider environmental priorities, but it can also provide multiple benefits to farmers in terms of shelter for livestock, improving condition and productivity; management of soil health and prevention of flooding; as well as providing alternative income streams and diversification opportunities.”

The first two events will be held in March, and you can register for free via the details below:

Integrating trees on your land. Demo network event. Wednesday, 3^rd March 7pm – 8pm  

Andrew Adamson of Messrs W Laird & Son, Netherurd Home Farm, Peebleshire, will introduce us to his farm and talk about how he has integrated trees into his business over a number of years; providing shelter for stock and crops along with an alternative income stream. He'll discuss the initial thought processes, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits etc. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. As this will be a farmer-led network please come along and bring your questions and ideas to help us guide future event topics. Book your free place here

Integrating trees on your land. Demo network event. Wednesday, 17th March 7pm – 8pm  

The Imrie family will be talking to us about their family's new venture into woodland creation at Hillhead farm, Torrance, Lanarkshire and how this has helped them to maximise their marginal land and safeguard the future of the family business. We'll discuss the initial thought processes, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits etc. and how a 'No, no trees' became a 'yes!' We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. As this will be a farmer-led network please come along and bring your questions and ideas to help us guide future event topics. Book your free place here

Background

The launching of the network is one of the actions in the Route Map to 2032 from the Climate Change Plan Update published in December 2020.