ARTIFICIAL divisions between forestry and agriculture can be removed by looking at more opportunities to plant trees within farmed land, a new report has said. 

The publication, from Woodland Trust Scotland and Soil Association Scotland, says farms have been largely overlooked in the country's efforts to increase planting rates, with current emphasis placed on taking space out of agricultural production. 

Launched today at the Royal Highland Show, it calls on the Scottish government to urgently review funding to support growing more trees on farms and says there needs to be a "well-funded advice structure" to help farmers into agroforestry.

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David McKay, Soil Association head of policy for Scotland, said: “Integrating trees on farms and crofts offers a viable and cost-effective way to enhance tree planting without reducing agricultural production and therefore offshoring the impacts of the food system.

“New tree planting and farm woodland can provide a range of environmental benefits and improve the performance and resilience of food production in the face of the twin climate and nature emergencies. Agroforestry – integrating trees on farms – can also open up potential new markets for farmers in timber products, fruit and nuts.

“We know that there are barriers, not least in terms of the mindset change that is required, but we also know through workshops organised by Soil Association that there is a significant level of interest in this from farmers and crofters in all parts of Scotland.”

The report describes how the artificial division between agriculture and forestry can be removed with recommendations to support a significant increase in tree planting with the opportunity to review the post-Brexit land use payments in Scotland while supporting a resilient and productive agricultural sector.

Arina Russell, Woodland Trust Scotland policy and advocacy manager, said: “Getting more trees in the landscape is one of the simplest measures we can take in response to the dual climate and nature emergencies.

“Although there are examples of farmers and crofters ​enthusiastically embracing tree planting, they remain a minority. Many farmers have never considered tree planting, while others view trees as being in direct competition to agricultural production and to the survival of farming or croft itself."