Integrating Trees Demonstrator project – (FWN36 Spring 2021)

If you are a farmer or crofter and want to find out more about tree planting, then you can’t beat seeing and hearing from those doing it practically on the ground.

That’s the aim of the new Integrating Trees Network which is in the process of setting up a network of farm woodland demonstration sites.

The initiative is being led by farmers and supported by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government.

At the moment there are two sites in the demo network – one in Peeblesshire and the other in Lanarkshire. Both are run by family farming businesses. More hosts are to be announced in the coming months.

Scottish Forestry’s forestry and farming development officer Lyn White said:

“It’s great to get this new network up and running with two great farming hosts who are willing to share their practical experiences, discuss their objectives, challenges, and benefits of their tree planting projects.

“As this is a farmer led network, we want hear from land mangers about what topics they want to discuss so we can bring in expert speakers to present alongside our farmer hosts.

“We are currently in the process of setting up a network of demonstrator sites across Scotland. The aim is to have a site in each geographical region linked to a Scottish Forestry office.

“Obviously during COVID we can’t go visiting, but when restrictions allow, these demo farms will be available for us to arrange visits so all those interested can see them first hand.”

Farmers and crofters have become more aware of the multiple benefits that woodland creation can have for their business. These benefits might include: providing shelter for livestock; habitat for wildlife; reducing the business’s carbon footprint; providing future income from timber; and the prevention of flooding.

This article has been published in the Spring 2021 edition of the Farm Woodland News.  Download a copy to access all articles.  Subscribe to receive newly published editions via email by using the form here.