SPRING last year saw the announcement of the creation of the Western Forest, a new national forest- covering a swathe from the Cotswolds to the Mendips. Since then progress has been made in fulfilling the vision of at least 2,500 hectares of woodland planted by 2030, through establishing woodlands, such as the 170 Hectare Lower Chew Forest and the 30 hectare Pucklechurch Wood.

However - trees do not have to be woodland! ‘Trees outside of woodland’- also known as agroforestry - are a fantastic opportunity to bring back trees into the landscape with a myriad of benefits for the farmer or landowner, as well as nature and climate gains.

Agroforestry is something we at Chew Valley Plants Trees always advocate for, particularly in our locality where food production - be it through livestock, poultry or arable - is so intrinsic to our landscape. Land does not have to be ‘given over’ to woodland; trees can be integrated into farming systems with benefits to all after a relatively short pay-back period.

The Western Forest envisages 1,000 hectares of agroforestry trees to be planted by 2030. They have fully-funded support packages for landowners to enable this. This is a huge opportunity for local farmers to future-proof their farms against climate shocks, with improved productivity rates afforded through water management and retention, sun and wind protection, and browsing for fodder, amongst many other co-benefits.

Hearing Western Forest staff speak at recent events in Bristol, and a Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust organised event at Fernhill Farm on Mendip, demonstrates the commitment they have to get trees into our landscapes combined with the wherewithal to make it happen- no matter how small or large. We just need some visionary landowners to step up to the opportunity.

Get in contact with them on the form embedded at forestofavon.org/western-forest/ or email [email protected]