Beneficial scheme makes tree planting grants simple for farmers

Across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Severn Treescapes project is supporting farmers to unlock the potential of their land, by planting trees that will bring multiple benefits.

The key goal of the scheme is to make tree planting simple, by providing support to find and access sources of available funding, from individual tree grants to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), EWCO and equivalent schemes.

Project advisers visit farms, talk to farmers about what they want from their land and come up with an appropriate plan.

The adviser continues their support until the trees are in the ground, so farmers aren’t left to their own devices when it comes to finding sources of funding or completing the paperwork.

In Gloucestershire, Treescapes adviser Charlotte worked with a father and daughter team to gap up hedges, reinstate a traditional orchard and plan the creation of small areas of woodland.

Most importantly, Charlotte was there for the funding application process, taking the pressure off Henry and his daughter Sarah.  

Henry said that, “We would not have bothered applying for anything had it not been for Charlotte’s help.

“We’re happy to do our bit, but don’t have the time to wade through all the grants and schemes.

“We are thrilled with the results so far and look forward to the apples and watching the trees grow.”

The small changes at the Dunn’s farm will bring a range of benefits, including enhanced stock shelter, better protected soils, a supply of fruit and fuel and better habitats for wildlife.

Is it just trees?

The Severn Treescapes team aren’t just looking to plant woodland.

Orchard restoration, hedgerow planting, natural regeneration and various other agroforestry systems are all on the cards.  

The aim is to support farmers to add trees and other woodland planting onto their land in a way that works for them, as part of a productive farming system.

© Megan Finn

The benefits for farmers are wide-ranging and well understood:

• Improving soil health and retaining soil
• Shelterbelts that create microclimates to increase yields
• Hedges and in-field trees for livestock shade and browse
• Timber, fruit or nut production to diversify income or use on farm
• Flood resilience and reducing field and farmyard run-off for cleaner rivers
• Thriving wildlife habitats

All of this and more can benefit both farmers and wildlife, in a way that’s realistic and attainable, with the Treescapes advisers on hand to bring the plans to life.

Why not use unproductive land on your farm, in field margins or near watercourses to plant trees that will bring benefits to your land without impacting food production?

How you can get involved

If you’re interested in finding out whether the project could benefit your farm, it’s as simple as sending an email or picking up the phone.

A project adviser will pay you a visit and put together a plan based on your ambitions for your land.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you get more from your land.

Contact details

Will Masefield, Project Manager
will.masefield@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk
07793 307056