7 February 2006
Sabre planting provides natural defence for new trees on Welsh hills, and it can be supported by Tir Gofal
Farmers recommend new technique for agricultural and environment reasons
Snowdonia farmers entering the Tir Gofal agri-environmental scheme, or whose contracts are being reviewed, are being offered a new way to improve the local environment by planting trees on their farms, without the expense of putting up new fences.
This is the message of a new leaflet (1) produced by Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust), the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, as part of its Tree For All Campaign (2). Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust), has recognised the potential of the technique to create a more diverse and attractive landscape by planting trees on grazed hillsides. It has produced this leaflet for distribution by Tir Gofal to farmers in the Snowdonia National Park. (3)
In addition to providing valuable timber and fuel, trees can enhance the landscape, improve the soil and support wildlife. Scattered trees do not reduce the amount of grazing and even small groups of trees can provide much-needed shelter for livestock, improving their growth and condition.
Pioneered by the independent local charity Bugeiliaid y Coed, (Tree Shepherds), the No Fence Planting technique mimics the way in which self-sown trees establish themselves naturally on grazed farmland. Trees of one metre plus in height can be "sabre-planted" perpendicular to steep ground (rather than pointing straight up) so that the leading shoots cannot be reached by browsing sheep and cattle. Such trees typically have a "sabre-shaped" profile, and can be seen growing in most valleys in Wales.
Thanks to the work of Bugeiliaid y Coed, and the charity’s operations manager, Steve Watson, No Fence Planting has now been recognised as a special project within Tir Gofal, meaning that it is fundable through the scheme. Advice and support with tree planting is available for all farmers in Snowdonia from Bugeiliaid y Coed, and the actual planting can be carried out by a contractor – or the charity.
One farmer who has arranged to have trees planted on his farm by Bugeiliaid y Coed, is Iwan Huw Jones, of Cefnfaes, Tanygrisiau. He says: "The idea of no-fence planting appeals to me as a farmer. Trees provide shelter for the stock, this planting technique avoids the high cost of erecting fences, and there is no loss of grazing land. Bugeiliaid y Coed have planted hundreds of trees on my farm over the past twenty years, and these are now big, healthy specimens. I would recommend this planting technique, and Bugeiliaid y Coed, to any other farmer."
Rory Francis, public affairs officer for Coed Cadw adds: "I know that there are very many farmers in Snowdonia who are keen to do what they can to enhance the landscape and wildlife value of their farms, within the context of commercial farming. The beauty of No Fence Planting is that it allows them to do this without the cost of fencing, without significantly changing their farming practices, and with funding from Tir Gofal. So I’m hoping that a good number of farmers in Snowdonia will take up this opportunity."
Any farmer or landowner in Snowdonia wanting more information on No Fence Planting should contact Bugeiliaid y Coed on 01766 771565 or treeshepherds@btopenworld.com
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For media enquiries contact:
Rory Francis (Publicity and Public Affairs Officer for Wales) on 01766 832563 or 07760 171174 or write to Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH
Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
or The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Unfortunately the leaflet itself is too large a file to email. However, the text and some of the illustrations, are attached with this news release. The line drawings are by Marged Wynn. A full copy can be sent be faxed, or posted by Rory Francis as above.
2. Tree For All is an ambitious new tree planting campaign, run by Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust), which aims to plant a tree for every child in the UK over a five year period, 12 million in total, and to involve 1 million children in doing this. To find out more about Tree For All contact www.treeforall.org.uk or telephone 0845 108 1428.
3. Under EU rules, Tir Gofal could not distribute a leaflet produced by Bugeiliaid y Coed itself, as the charity acts as a contractor in carrying out No Fence Planting.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). These include 129 sites in Wales, with a total area of 1,580 hectares (3,900 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.woodland-trust.org.uk. The Trust adopted a new Welsh language name in 2000: "Coed Cadw". This is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.
