Chance to listen to Tomintoul farmers who have branched out

A free online event is taking place this evening to help farmers decide if tree planting is a good fit for their business.

Under the Integrating Trees Network, farmers will be able to hear first-hand the experiences and lessons learned from other farmers who have created woodlands on their farm.

The first of two events will see Andrew and Debbie Duffus, from Tomintoul, talk about their tree planting venture on the family’s hill farm which is rented from the Crown Estates.

Then next Wednesday an expanded panel consisting of Andrew Adamson of Netherurd Home Farm, Peeblesshire and members of the Imrie Family of Hillhead Farm in Lanarkshire will answer and discuss practical questions on woodland creation, from site and species choice to protection and design

Scottish Forestry staff will also be on hand at the events to answer questions.

All the farmers leading the online discussions are part of the Integrating Trees Network which is supported by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government.

A Scottish Forestry spokesperson said: "The ‘network’ is building a number of demonstration sites across Scotland where farmers are happy to share their experiences on tree planting and how it has strengthened their business.

"Benefits of tree planting can include providing shelter for livestock, improving productivity or diversifying income streams, creating habitats for wildlife and reducing the business’s carbon footprint.

Listen to Andrew and Debbie Duffus, from Tomintoul this evening from 7pm to 8pm.

For more details and to book a free place click here

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.