What is agroforestry?

Agroforestry is the integration of trees on farms. It enables agricultural land to carry on producing food, while growing trees at the same time without necessarily taking land out of production.

Trees can bring a huge range of benefits to your land, from improving soil health and biodiversity, to capturing carbon and producing a range of additional products.

Some examples of agroforestry include:

Silvopasture

Trees in a livestock system for shelter or forage

Silvoarable

Trees in an arable system for fruit, nut, timber or fuel production

Hedgerows

Trees in an agricultural system to provide natural pest management, soil and water management, connection with woodlands and shelter for wildlife

Shelterbelt

Trees in an agricultural system to provide shelter from the wind or salt spray

Riparian buffer strips

Trees along a watercourse to intercept runoff and increase water quality

Forest gardens

Trees planted within a perennial food production garden on a small scale

Some products agroforestry can provide include:

Fruit

Nuts

Beanpoles

Timber

Woodfuel

Fencing posts


Case studies and resources