Integrating Trees Network

Andrew and Seonag Barbour, and their family farm Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry. A  540 hectare (1,334-acre), organic hill farm, sitting at over 1000 feet above sea-level rising to 1300 feet. Its home to a herd of 50 suckler cows, made up of a  small fold of  Highlanders crossed with Whitebred Shorthorn to produce the basis for the suckler herd. These cows are crossed with a Limousin producing 18-month-old store cattle. Along with  400 TexelX  producing finished lambs from mainly rough grazing.

The sheep are run on  the in-bye through the summer and rough grazing are used by sheep in late summer/autumn and again after tupping  through to lambing. The cows are on the rough grazing through the summer months.

Why trees?

Carbon, shelter, shade, browse early bite of grass, increase in productivity of stock, saving on feed costs, better financial returns, productive timber, working capital  and  long term investment.

Walking and Talking trees with Andy & Debbie Duffus, Mains of Auchriachan, Tomintoul,
Tuesday August 16th, 10am – 1pm

On farm Andrew and Debbie Duffus will introduce us to their farm and will be talking to us about their family's new venture into woodland creation on their 1540 ha tenanted hill farm. We'll discuss the initial thought process, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits to the business e.g. more shelter less feed costs and better productivity. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Please come along and bring your questions. Book your free place here. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.

Walking and Talking trees with Andrew Adamson of Netherurd Home Farm, Blyth Bridge, near West Linton, Peeblesshire.
Wednesday 24th August, 10am – 1pm

On farm Andrew Adamson will introduce us to Netherurd Home Farm. Talk about how he has integrated trees into his farming business over a number of years; providing shelter for stock and crops along with an alternative income stream. He'll discuss the initial thought processes, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits and why he is planning to plant more trees. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and steps to woodland creation. As this will be a farmer-led network please come along and bring your questions and ideas to help us guide future event topics. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here

Walking and Talking trees with Richard Lockett of Knockbain Farm, Dingwall.
Wednesday, 31st August 10 am – 1pm

Richard Lockett will introduce us to Knockbain Farm, his family’s 200 Ha mixed farm just outside Dingwall. This farm is gradually creating a network of wetlands, hedges, ponds, and expanding native and commercial woodlands. A pedigree herd of Luing cattle run on the farm, mob grazing grasslands and wildflower meadows. The woodlands provide shelter, shade, habitat, timber and wood fuel. We will discuss the farm’s experiences of woodland creation since the 1970’s (good and bad), the importance of woodlands for livestock and new agroforestry plans.  We’ll look at the initial thought process, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here.

Walking and Talking trees with the Barbour Family. Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry
Tuesday 13th September, 1pm – 4pm

The Barbour family will introduce us to their family farm Mains of Fincastle. A 540 Ha organic beef and sheep hill farm in Perthshire. They will discuss why plant trees, objectives, the process and challenges. How they have successfully integrated trees into their farming business. Providing multiple benefits from shelter and shade, increase in productivity to carbon capture. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and first steps to woodland creation. Please come along and bring your questions. Book your free place here. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Find out about the Network, its hosts and useful info here

• Trees are not an option extra
• Plant trees to improve animal welfare
• Think big scale, not small!
• Have a try - go for it!
• When planting, think about your end market, or how you might use any timber yourself'
• Plant today for the livestock welfare needs of tomorrow
• There is a real need to look after our rivers by planting trees

View the event summary from February's 'Woodland Creation for Biodiveristy - What to consider? Discussing on the ground examples' event.