Severn Rivers Trust, supported by Natural Resources Wales, led a farm woodland creation event for Welsh farmers on Friday 5th November.

Representatives from 9Trees,Coed Cadw, Farming Connect, Severn Rivers Trust, and Natural Resources Wales, joined farmers and landowners for a farm walk and informal discussion about woodland creation on farms.

The walk was hosted by farmer Richard Ellis of Domen Gastell, Llanfechain, who has been involved with various tree planting schemes over the years. The informal setting provided the organisations with a chance to advise landowners about woodland creation, whilst learning from the farmers how to best support tree planting which works in harmony with the farm business.

The number of environmental organisations and landowners involved shows the amount of interest there is in farm woodland creation, and the many opportunities there are to work together to increase biodiversity, fight climate change and reduce flooding by planting the right tree in the right place. Working together with local communities and organisations who engage with them, also provides support from tree planting volunteers.

9Trees was formed in 2018 by Michael Cunningham. His vision is to tackle climate change by restoring new woodland habitats, promote biodiversity, create jobs within the countryside sector and connect more people with nature. Mike says

“9 trees is the number required to ‘balance’ the average UK citizen’s carbon consumption each year”

This is the first in a series of events, showcasing the value of farm woodlands and highlighting the support available to landowners for increasing and improving woodland on their farms.

Tree planting can also be beneficial to farmers. James Morris, dairy farmer from Meifod who attended the event said “trees provide shelter and shade. You’ll always find the cattle under the trees on a hot day. It’s not just people who like trees, animals enjoy them too”.

We rounded off the day with tea and cake provide by Severn Rivers Trust at Bron Gain farm, with thanks to Greg and Dawn Pickstock.

For more information about tree planting on farms in Wales, please visit the Natural Resources Wales website: Natural Resources Wales / Get help to plant trees and create woodland.

This event was possible thanks to the support for two projects funded under the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme Sustainable Management Scheme 2014-2020; The Cain Valley Sustainable Land and Water Management Project, and the Nant Alan Land Management and Climate Resilience Project. These projects run to June 2023, and are led by a steering group of landowners and community representatives supported by Severn Rivers Trust.