The benefits of integrating trees into farming systems

John TuckerDirector, Woodland Creation

Woodland Trust.

“Never the twain shall meet”?

Benefits of integration• Flooding/soil erosion/pollution• Shelter/shade• Marketing and biosecurity• Timber• Food and novel crops• Agroforestry.

Climate change – more significant weather events?

Hull 2007 Hull 2007

River Derwent 2009

Why trees?•Trees use more water than shorter vegetation•Act as a green leaky dam reducing peak flows by 10% - 20%•Targeted catchment planting can have significant impacts in modifying flooding.

Pollution•Farming contributes 60% of nitrate pollution, 25% phosphorous, 70% sediment entering water.•Woodland strips can increase infiltration by 60%•Pontbren Powys: 10 farmers co-operate planted 120,000 trees across 1,000ha•Unexpected consequence was increased infiltration after 2001 storms

Shelter

Pontbren, PowysRestored tree belts and hedges to enable them to keep hardier breeds of sheep that could lamb outdoors

Pollination•Sheltered woodland belts will attract more insects•Good variety of trees with flowering shrubs will help•39 crops grown for fruit and seed in the UK are insect pollinated.

Marketing/animal welfare•2001 John Widdowson found his hens produced better quality eggs when in a woodland environment•2004 Sainsbury’s Woodland Eggs•2009 Sainsbury’s Woodland Chickens•2010 Sainsbury’s Woodland Turkeys.

Pollution control• Trees and woodland can help mitigate

pollution from chicken farms• Cut down emissions by slowing wind speeds• Pollution capture by trees• Increased mixing with air due to increased

turbulence

Timber

Timber products

Novel crops

Novel crops - truffles• Summer truffle plantation established in

Yorkshire• 90% truffles in France are from commercial

orchards• Wholesale prices can exceed £1,000/kg• Plantations can produce 20kg/ha/annum

Agroforestry systems

Summary.• “ I am confident that farm woodland creation

is about to enjoy a bit of a renaissance with improved incentives and an increased awareness amongst farmers of the opportunities that exist.”

• Jim McLaren, President, NFU Scotland.