The UK is struggling to meet its government targets for tree-planting, but farmers could provide a solution by diversifying their land. However, the key question is how to encourage this. At present, the UK’s forestry trade body and a cross-bench committee of MPs have both expressed scepticism over the chances of planting 30,000 hectares of woodland each year by the end of the parliamentary term. As 71% of the total area of the country comprises agricultural land, it is vital to engage with farmers if targets are to be met.
Leicestershire farmer James Ludlum started creating woodland at Cattows Farm, 16 miles NW of Leicester, in 2004. He planted 100 acres of native broadleaf trees on arable land, turning his dairy farm into a diversified business that incorporates pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm shop and restaurant. The woodland now accommodates festivals, sporting events and a year-round forest school, proving a source of thriving wildlife. However, while the government offers farmers and landowners national woodland creation grants, most remain unaware, are too overstretched or are critical and reluctant to take their land out of use.
Ludlum only achieved his goal thanks to support and advice from the National Forest, which has worked with over 350 landowners and supported nearly 500 grant-aided forest creation schemes, as it leads on the creation of a 200 sq mile rural and urban forest in the Midlands. National Forest’s work has also enabled Ludlum to build a tourism business. The charity provides bespoke solutions that suit each landowner’s ambitions, which could mean planting trees to improve crop yields, minimise erosion or provide shade as the climate heats.
The Tree Council is partnering with Shropshire council and Cornwall county council on a pilot to boost tree planting on farmland, identifying strategies farmers can use to increase tree canopy that don’t impact farm businesses. Though the scheme runs until spring 2025, The Tree Council is hopeful that “enabling” landowners will help to increase tree planting in the longer term. According to Cleaver, who benefits from nearly 30 years of a successful relationship with landowners, “When you look at what’s been achieved you have to be optimistic for the future.”
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