Agroforestry is the deliberate integration of trees into farming systems — combining agriculture and forestry to benefit both. Adding trees to the farm can improve soil health, support water management, and enhance biodiversity, all whilst maintaining or even increasing productivity.

Most configurations of tree planting are supported by our Trees for Climate grant. These can include designs for:

• Silvo-arable systems where trees are grown between crop rows to improve microclimates, soil and to sometime to provide additional crops.
• Silvo-pastural systems which integrate trees and grass for grazing, browsing and shelter
• Riparian buffers of trees along watercourses which can protect valuable habitats, reduce runoff and form a barrier to livestock entering waterways, thereby potentially improving water quality.
• Hedgerows and shelterbelts which provide wind protection for crops and livestock, fodder and increased local biodiversity.
• Coppice systems integrated with standard trees.

These systems are designed to work with your existing operations, helping you build a more resilient and diverse farm business.

Farmer-Led, Business-Focused 

The expert team at Forest of Avon work with you to ensure your tree planting scheme is designed to help meet your farm’s objectives for productivity, diversification, and environmental stewardship. 

We also deal with the paperwork around site surveys and checks, species selection and maintenance funding, to support you in keeping your trees healthy for years to come.  

Why is Forest of Avon financing trees on farms?

Integrating trees into farmland offers long-term benefits for both the environment and the farm business. Trees help build resilience to climate extremes by improving soil structure, reducing erosion, and enabling increased natural drainage. Trees also improve local biodiversity by providing habitat and food for pollinators and multiple other beneficial wild species

For livestock systems, tree cover improves animal welfare by offering shade and shelter, which can lead to better weight gain, reduced stress and lower mortality. In arable systems, trees can reduce wind damage, improve soil health, and support more stable yields over time.

Beyond environmental benefits, trees can be used for a range of income diversification opportunities. These include the sale of timber, wood fuel, fruit, nuts, and other non-timber forest products like mushrooms, honey or even nature-based tourism and educational visits.

Increasingly, farmers are exploring access to carbon and biodiversity markets, where trees play a key role in delivering public goods and ecosystems services which, in some circumstances, can be effectively monetised.

Here are some useful resources which provide more information about practical considerations and benefits of planting more trees on your land:

Soil Association: Agroforestry on Your Farm

Woodland Trust: Agroforestry benefits farming, nature and climate

Tree Council: The Agroforestry Handbook

Tree Council: Illustrated Guide to Agroforestry Systems