The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Integrating trees network: a growing success
Farmers and crofters across Scotland have been sharing their experiences, warts and all, about growing trees as part of their businesses.
The Integrating Trees Network is a farmer and crofter-led initiative supported by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government. Its aim is to build up a strong network of farm woodland demonstration sites across Scotland, with the hosts showcasing how growing trees have boosted their business. Sharing experiences and hearing from those who are actually doing it is all part of the ever growing Integrating Trees Network. The initiative has now run 12 virtual events.
Farming Networks
These fantastic farming hosts have shared their experiences and have produced a number of key practical messages for others who are thinking about growing trees. These are:
• use well known contractors - not always the cheapest but being recommended by others shows they know their job;
• you have to work with what’s on the ground, don’t try and change it too much or work against it;
• you can do the work yourself, you don’t need to rely on contractors. It can be a steep learning curve and there are challenges. It just takes time and planning, but there is support out there;
• understand your reasons for wanting to plant trees on your land and your business priorities;
• do your research: evaluate your land and monitor your farm to find out what areas are under performing for livestock but could still be suitable for planting trees;
• ask whether having trees on the farm will help diversify the nature of the business to become more adaptable, and in the future will it provide much needed shelter; • create a habitat for wildlife: life’s pretty boring without wildlife!
“Get going now, I wish I had done what I’m doing now 10 years ago”
Crofting community
When the Integrating Trees Network was launched there was a fantastic response from the crofters too. The interest was so great that it soon became clear that there should be events run purely for crofters. There have now been two such events – Tea and Trees for Crofters. The events were full of people, sharing their experiences and challenges of tree planting, asking advice and even highlighting how the trees can provide benefits to bullocks and bees.
As the network has developed, more resources have been created to help land managers take that next step to planting trees on their land. Scottish
Forestry can also put people in touch with organisations, such as the Woodland Trust’s Croft Woodlands Project or for farmers, the Tweed Forum.
Helping tenant farmers grow trees for their business
Adding to these resources. Scottish Forestry is working with the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association to demonstrate how tree planting can benefit all farm businesses. As part of this work, a new woodland creation case study has been published, based around a tenanted farm. In the coming months we will be highlighting the case study as it’s relevant to anyone looking to plant trees on their land. Scottish Forestry has also highlighted new simplified woodland creation guidance, small farm loan scheme, and FAS funding to name but a few and most of all, having access to other farmers and crofters who can share their practical knowledge to those considering woodland creation on whatever scale.
These resources and more can all be found on the Integrating Trees Network website along with host farmer and farm details and their key messages to consider when planting trees.
Everyone is welcome to book onto these free virtual online events. This is a farmer and crofter-led network so please get in touch and let us know what topics you want us to discuss. Drop lyn.white@ forestry.gov.scot or Hilary. Grant@gov.scot an email.