While native woodland has served as a natural ally to farmers for centuries, today’s economic challenges spell out a growing need for more trees.
The Woodland Trust cites compelling reasons for farmers and landowners to plant trees, including their ability to support wildlife, improve water and air quality and, not least, provide shelter for crops and livestock.
Native deciduous trees provide ideal windbreaks. They can deflect the worst of the weather, reducing wind damage to crops, increasing crop yields and the abundance of pollinating insects. Even in their leafless winter state, broadleaved trees help slow the wind.
In addition, planting native trees - or allowing them to develop in hedgerows – provides winter shelter and summer shade important for livestock welfare and productivity.
According to research, stress caused by extreme temperatures, wind and rain, can reduce the milk yield of dairy cattle and slow growth rates in young animals - all of which can affect livestock maintenance costs and profits.
Ruth and Paul Simpson are just two of an increasing number of landowners enjoying the fruits of their tree planting efforts. The couple planted 3,500 broadleaf saplings on their dairy farm almost two years ago. Ruth said: "We aimed to create a windbreak for the farm by planting a three-deep boundary of trees to provide valuable shade for our cattle, as well as a source of wood fuel. Our new trees are an investment in our farm and our future."
Jackie Morgan, Advice and Partnerships Manager with the Woodland Trust, said: "Shelterbelts needn't take up a vast amount of space - a five metre wide belt with just three or four rows of trees can be very effective. And hard-to-work corners - unsuitable for grazing and often left unused – are ideal places for new planting. Trees are certainly an investment and their benefits can be felt within a relatively short period of time."
The Woodland Trust is calling for a massive increase in tree planting. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for farmers and landowners to experience the many benefits of woodland and the Trust is offering comprehensive help, advice and guidance on sources of funding.
Applications for funding via the Trust’s MOREwoods project must be received by 19 September 2011.
To find out more, telephone the Woodland Trust on 0844 543 8700, email woodlandcreation@woodlandtrust.org.uk or visit www.MoreTreesMoreGood.org.uk
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 51 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk