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 the Imrie Family, Hillhead Farm, Torrance, Nr Glasgow.

Wednesday 6th July, 1pm  – 4pm

The Imrie family will be talking to us on farm about their family's new venture into woodland creation at Hillhead farm, and how this has helped them to maximise their marginal land and safeguard the future of the family business. We'll discuss the initial thought processes, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits etc. and how a 'No, trees' became a 'yes!' We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and steps to woodland creation. Book your free place here.

Walking and Taking trees with Andrew Whiteford of Burnfoot farm, Nr Sanquhar

Wednesday 20th July, 10am - 1pm

On farm Andrew Whiteford will introduce us to Burnfoot Farm, a 3500 acre hill beef and sheep farm. He will talk about his family’s new venture into woodland creation and forest infrastructure, through the Forestry Grant Schemes Sheep and Trees grant. We'll discuss the initial thought process, the decision to plant trees, objectives, challenges and benefits to the business etc. We will also have a speaker from Scottish Forestry joining us to discuss funding and steps to woodland creation. As this is a farmer-led network please come along and bring your questions and ideas to help us guide future events. Book your free place here.

Walking and Taking trees with Andrew Adamson of Netherurd Home Farm, Blyth Bridge, near West Linton, Peeblesshire

Wednesday 27th July, 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.

• 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.