Opinion: Seeing the wood for the trees – don’t miss out on the benefits

In the current climate, I am well aware there are many deep concerns in the farming community, and implementing change at this time can feel overwhelming and inaccessible, but we need to spark a conversation about the future of farming.

National Tree Week, which runs from 23 November to 1 December, highlights the importance of trees in our landscape.

See also: SFI 2024 – all you need to know (including agro-forestry) 

Trees are also a great way for farmers in England to enhance their businesses without compromising food production, and to deliver the many benefits they can provide for their land.

I know that barriers to entry can feel overwhelming, and it needs to be more accessible.

The evidence shows, however, that agroforestry can transform agriculture across the country and truly benefit individual farms.

Cultivating trees, crops and livestock alongside one another is an ancient agricultural practice, but currently this traditional method of farming accounts for less than 4% of UK agricultural land, despite having financial and environmental benefits.

Alongside providing income streams from tree-related products such as timber, planting the right trees can prevent soil erosion and increase flood resilience.

So many farmers are currently missing out on the valuable rewards trees can bring. The Forestry Commission wants to change that.

Tree planting grants

We are improving access to grants for farmers who plant trees on their lands.

We know that applications can sometimes feel endless and daunting, and want to help every step of the way in this process.

We have a range of grants and incentives available to farmers to plant and maintain trees on agricultural land. Through these schemes, farmers are financially rewarded.

Examples include the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, which provide financial rewards for delivering significant and important outcomes for the climate and environment alongside food production.

This includes offers for establishing and maintaining in-field agroforestry systems, as well as full support and assistance for land managers in planning, creating, improving and managing agroforestry systems.

The Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer (Ewco) provides 15 years of annual maintenance payments, as well as standard capital costs and additional stackable payments.

Ewco proposals within low sensitivity areas may also be eligible for Woodland Creation Fast Track.

Our Put Down Roots site also shares advice on how to maximise the benefits to land and business.

Increasing tree cover on farms does not just benefit the farm itself and increase profits, it also benefits the surrounding communities and often the overall value of the farm.

It is proven that trees support our wellbeing and make our society a better place to live.

Guide

I want to encourage farmers to consider how agroforestry methods can be adapted to suit their own individual needs, and to bust any myths that increasing tree cover on farms is not worthwhile.

Forest Research has launched a new guide that highlights the best trees and shrubs suitable for planting on agricultural land, allowing farmers across the country to better understand what tree species will work best within their farming systems.

I encourage all farmers to take advantage of the schemes available to support increasing tree cover, as they truly can have a transformational effect on businesses, as well as doing good for our environment.

Trees are a long-term investment, but the sooner you plant, the sooner those benefits will be realised.