FOREST MANAGEMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION
Farm Forestry at Scotland’s Finest Wood Awards David Lee finds out that true integration of farming and woodland can bring many rewards – and awards too!
F
arming and forestry can be uneasy bedfellows. Scottish politician and farmer, Peter Chapman, once said he thought planting trees was seen by many farmers as a failure of their business model - and that he was determined to help change that. Confor and its members talk regularly to farmers about the benefits of diversifying a farm business with trees. Ultimately, the decision to plant - or to make existing woodland more useful, or to expand it depends on the individual farm business. The reasons for doing so will be specific to that farm. This was very well-illustrated by the range of winners and commended entries in the Farm Woodland categories of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2021. All of them were real enthusiasts for trees and what they could provide - but all had planted for different reasons and gained a variety of benefits. Angela Douglas, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, which runs the awards, said: “All the entries recognised in the farm woodland awards in 2021 are very different - from a small croft to a large grain producer. However, each one has put trees and woodland at the heart of their specific business model and integrated it highly successfully into their operations.” The judges concluded: “The vision for how the woodlands could benefit the farm-
ing business both now and in the future was very striking.”
not have been established without this shelter.” The judges also said of North Tillydaff’s woods: “They are well-cared for, and a great deal of thought has been given to their ecology and future management. The scale and planned integration in land-use, along with the future management plans including cattle grazing to better manage the field layer, make this an outstanding ‘fit’ for this award.” Wendy Seel also stressed the point of learning from others who have been there before: “If you have an opportunity to plant trees, then do so. But visit other sites with young stands of trees - and speak to others and learn from them.”
Farm Woodland Award Winner: North Tillydaff farm
Young People Award Winner: Howemill
Wendy Seel and Anne Taylor won the overall Farm Woodland Award, sponsored by SAC Consulting, for integrating trees into their organic vegetable-growing business at North Tillydaff in Midmar, Aberdeenshire. In making the award, the judges noted that planting trees for shelter doesn’t just benefit livestock but can help crops too. They said: “The viability of the horticultural enterprise is entirely dependent on the shelter provided by woodland and associated hedgerows. The business could
Woodland is also integral - and well-integrated - to the farm business at Howemill, run by James and Nikki Yoxall, winners of the Young People Award for Farm Woodland, sponsored by Scottish Woodlands Ltd. The Yoxalls produce beef on the farm near Huntly in Aberdeenshire - and believe agroforestry, holistic planned grazing and pasture-fed livestock is crucial to both ecological functionality and delicious, nutritious beef.
Nikki Yoxall, Howemill
Wildlife Croft, Skye
44 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • February 2022
CONFOR.ORG.UK
