Ulzieside Farm: How woodland was incorporated into agricultural land

DURING one of the summer’s hottest spells, a group of farmers and foresters strode across the exposed fells overlooking the small Dumfriesshire town of Sanquhar.

Guided by farmer Andrew Whiteford and Lyn White, Scottish Forestry’s forestry and farming development officer, their goal was to inspect Ulzieside Farm’s woodland-creation scheme on the hillside, known locally as ‘The Standard’. Despite the warmth, it was a relatively easy walk on a well-constructed track that is part of the 50-ha planting scheme.

The Integrating Trees Network is a joint Scottish Forestry and Scottish government initiative. Lyn White explained it aims to build up a strong network of farms and crofts across Scotland to promote the planting of more trees on Scottish land, in the right places, for the right reasons and to give guidance on how this can be practically achieved.

Comprising of six farm woodland demonstration sites established across the country, its purpose is to encourage farmers, crofters and landowners who have successfully grown trees to boost their business, to share their experience with other Scottish farmers who are mulling over the economic and environmental benefits that planting trees can contribute to their businesses. 

‘Walking and Talking Trees’ tours are informal opportunities for farming professionals to discuss the pros and cons of tree planting and decide if doing so is the correct option for their situation. If so, Scottish Forestry staff present at each event can be approached for advice. 

At the final point of the original road, by the stock feeding troughs, Alastair Hendry, operations and development manager for Scottish Forestry, explains the criteria to be met to access the various grants available. (Image: FJ)

At Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, Andrew Whiteford and his father Robert farm Ulzieside Farm and adjoining Burnfoot Farm; 3,500 acres (approximately 1,500 ha) in total, mainly upland grazing for sheep and pedigree Luing beef cattle. The terrain is wet; rainfall averages 1,000 mm annually.

Andrew studied Agriculture at Newcastle University before gaining a master’s degree in Farm and Agricultural Business at the Shropshire-based Harper-Adams University. Thus informed, his decision to plant trees focused on determining his objectives, the challenges achieving these might present and the benefits the farm business could expect to accrue in both the short and long term.

“A previous owner of Burnfoot Farm had already planted trees – around 150 acres (60 ha) of riparian woodland and shelterbelts,” he said. “When we came to fell a block of trees we not only appreciated their timber value, but also decided that the next generation might seek that cash injection in 40 years’ time.” 

Burnfoot Farm’s new 50-ha woodland creation was planted up in two blocks and funded through the Sheep and Trees Forestry Grant Scheme. Both forest infrastructure and woodland creation are covered by the initiative. A well-constructed 1.5 km extension to the uphill farm track allows access to the new planting sites. In view of probable returns, Sitka spruce comprises most of the planting on each side of an existing woodland.

Norway spruce and native broadleaves, in a smaller proportion, diversify the composition of the woodland. The broadleaves ameliorate the visual impact of the conifer plantation when seen from Sanquhar and other locations in the Nith valley.

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Andrew flagged up the other benefits created by the forest track extension. He said: “We’ve better access to our livestock year-round for feeding and monitoring. Feeding areas adjacent to the road also allow the stock to remain outdoors for longer in the year. Gathering in of the animals is also easier.”

The hot spell had broken by the date allocated for Peeblesshire farmer Andrew Adamson’s tour. Murky, humid weather across the Scottish Borders ushered in the August day. Not the best conditions for participants to view Netherurd Home Farm’s extensive tree cover from tractor-hauled trailers open to the elements. Nevertheless, the anticipatory group of farmers and foresters welcomed by members of the Adamson family, Lyn White of Scottish Forestry and Hilary Grant from the Scottish government, came prepared for the elements and determined to benefit from Andrew’s considerable experience of integrating trees on his land.

The existing road onto the hillside has been extended by 1.5 km to access the two sections of new woodland (Image: FJ)

Once we had climbed to the border with South Lanarkshire, the murk began to lift and the glorious scenery of the Southern Uplands and the Pentland Hills was revealed. Below lay the impressive patchwork of Netherurd Home Farm’s mixed and varied woodlands. 
The Netherurd Estate originated as an 18th-century mansion around which a 27-acre (10.92 ha) designed landscape comprising gardens, parkland and wooded policies gradually took shape. Andrew’s great-grandfather became tenant of its Home Farm in 1940; the opportunity to own it presented around a decade later. In 1952, the mansion and part of the grounds were gifted to Girl Guiding Scotland by an owner, whose wife was involved with the organisation. Seven decades passed before the Guides could no longer justify its upkeep and the ‘For Sale’ sign went up. 

Andrew – who very much appreciates the aesthetically pleasing nature of Netherurd Home Farm’s designed landscape – recalled that over the decades he and his father sought to add to this and improve shade and shelter for their sheep and cattle by planting trees in its unproductive corners and steep, awkward places. The farm now has just short of 100 acres (40.46 ha) of timber, 28 acres (11 ha) of which has been planted over the last five years as part of its ongoing diversification. Class 2 land has been converted to softwood production, mostly to benefit the next generation. Andrew advised: “If you’re thinking of planting trees on your land, you need to know your farm, know your goals and know why you want trees.”  

Lyn White, Farming and Forestry Development Officer, Scottish Forestry, was brought up in farming. Working for Soil Association Scotland, Lyn brought together farmers to exchange knowledge and ideas about all aspects of agriculture north of the Border. (Image: FJ)

According to the Peeblesshire-based farmer, there is a lack of understanding about the main function of trees. “Carbon should be retained by landowners and excess moved up the supply chain, e.g. biomass, sawmilling, abattoir processors and grain merchants. It shouldn’t be able to be traded just to offset someone’s emissions.”  

Whether conifer or broadleaved, Netherurd Home Farm’s trees do offer Andrew Adamson an income source, albeit irregular. “Trees are a long-term crop and you’ve to try and market them as best you can at any given time. A few trees taken every now and then boosts the finances.

“I hope to double thin the conifers, but the money is in sawlogs. Any hardwoods felled are usually sold for furniture making.” 

Scotland’s six woodland demonstration sites are hosted by:

• Andrew Adamson of Messrs W. Laird & Son, Netherurd Home Farm, Peeblesshire.
• The Imrie family of Hillhead Farm, Torrance, nr. Glasgow.
• Andrew and Debbie Duffus, Mains of Auchriachan, Tomintoul, Morayshire.
• Andrew Whiteford, Burnfoot and Ulzieside Farm, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
• The Barbour family, Mains of Fincastle, Pitlochry, Perthshire.
• The Lockett family, Knockbain Farm, Dingwall, Ross-shire.

These fantastic farming hosts have shared their conclusions to best inform those who opt to plant trees on their land. They include:  

• Use well-known contractors.  Perhaps not always the cheapest, but recommendations from others indicate that they know their job.
• Work with what’s on the ground.  Don’t try and change it too much or work against it.
• You can do the work yourself, but it can prove a steep and challenging learning curve.  Time and careful planning are a must, but support is available.

One section has been set aside as woodland for purely environmental purposes. The land was tined – a relatively quick and low-cost procedure – before native broadleaves were planted in groups. (Image: FJ)

• Know why you want to plant trees in relation to your business priorities.
• Evaluate your land.  Which areas under-perform for stock but could be suitable for trees?
• Will planting trees diversify the nature of your farm or help it to become more adaptable?
• Create a habitat for wildlife; life’s pretty boring without it!
• Treat your woodland as another crop and manage it correctly.
• Get going now. I wish I had done what I’m doing now 10 years ago!