Trees on farms have benefits of improving productivity and land health, as well as capturing and storing carbon.
Trees store carbon in their branches, stems, leaves, bark and roots. As trees grow, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and convert this into carbon to make wood. When wood rots or is destroyed (such as by fire) the carbon is returned to the air.
When carefully integrated into farms, trees can improve soil, water and biodiversity conservation, provide shade and shelter to livestock, rehabilitate unproductive land and improve the look and feel of a property. Farm productivity will increase as a result, with improved farms often having a percentage of land planted to trees which complements agricultural production.
Trees on farms can store carbon, which could offer an offset against a farm business’s greenhouse gas emissions and may be combined with other benefits such as shelter, timber production, environmental protection, added biodiversity and improved aesthetic value on-farms.
Good planning for strategic planting of trees ensures they become an asset not a liability. Well managed trees may provide extra income if harvested following appropriate approval processes.
Management options
Many farmers have revegetated degraded or unproductive sections of their farms or waterways. Farmers have shown that they can revegetate from 5 per cent to 20 per cent of their farm without loss of food or fibre production.
Identify on your farm plan areas that might be suited for shelterbelts, woodlots or wildlife areas, or for managing problem areas (unproductive or erosion prone areas) — most farms have some parcels of land that are less productive and make sensible locations for plantings.
Ensure tree species match the site conditions (such as soils and climate) and the farm objectives.
Establish new tree plantations and ensure species selection and site preparation are geared towards optimal survival and growth – find out from a local expert suitable tree species, establishment techniques for your site, suitable nurseries and revegetation contractors.
Consider growing some woodlots with tree species that can be used on-farm (for fodder, fence posts, poles or firewood), ensuring not to use species classified as weeds.
Encourage regeneration of native trees and shrubs, (for example by fencing out established native vegetation), according to a well thought-out farm plan.
Protect and manage existing native trees and shrubs from loss or damage by fire, land clearing or animals.
Use an appropriatecarbon calculator to estimate how much carbon is being stored in your farm woodlot.
You could also consider participating in carbon credit or incentive schemes, noting that:
- the rate of carbon sequestration of farm trees is directly related to the type of trees, their age and how fast they grow.
- carbon credit schemes are subject to ongoing conditions and contracts, which should be thoroughly investigated before proceeding.
- or maybe you might just want to measure and record your farm carbon to balance against your own farm emissions for use in trade, market or low emissions food-fibre verification schemes (such as carbon neutral wine, milk or meat).
More information
See more pages in this series:
FAQs
Stream bank trees improve and protect local water quality. Their strong roots help keep soil in place, their leaves provide shade and a natural fence for grazing animals and livestock and fruit and nut species can provide an entirely new crop for farmers.
What trees have health benefits? ›
Medicinal Trees
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) ...
- Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) ...
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) ...
- Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum) ...
- Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.)
The magic of moringa
Almost all parts of the moringa tree are edible, from leaves to roots. This fast growing marvel is highly resistant to drought, and packed with essential nutrients.
Which tree is best for agriculture? ›
Eucalyptus trees have long been favored for their rapid growth (4- 5 year only), drought tolerance, and diverse applications. In India, eucalyptus plantations thrive in regions with arid and semi-arid climates, offering a lucrative option for farmers and landowners.
How many trees per acre is healthy? ›
The mid-elevation type of forest ponderosa pine and mixed conifer used to have about 60 trees per acre in California about 150 years ago. Now, a UC Davis and USDA study says California forests 165 to 170 trees per acre — and that may be a conservative estimate.
What is the most healthiest tree? ›
No matter what you call Moringa oleifera — also known as “drumstick tree,” “tree of life,” and “miracle tree” — it's one of the most nutritious plants in the world.
Which tree has the most medicinal value? ›
Neem (Azadirachta indica) - The leaves, seeds, and bark of the neem tree are used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments, including fever, infections, and skin disorders.
What tree is known for healing? ›
Willow is a beautiful tree that represents healing on all levels. This tree is also said to be good for improving the psychic ability for all forms of divination.
What tree gives off the most oxygen? ›
Pines are at the bottom of the list in terms of oxygen release because they have a low Leaf Area Index. Oak and aspen are intermediate in terms of oxygen release. Douglas-fir, spruce, true fir, beech, and maple are toward the top of the list for oxygen release.
What is the best forage tree? ›
Palatability
| Palatability | Tree species |
|---|
| 1 | Aspen, Willow |
| 2 | Ash, Rowan |
| 3 | Hazel, Oak |
| 4 | Scots Pine, Juniper, Holly |
3 more rowsUSEFUL AND FRUITFUL TREES FOR YOUR FARMHOUSE
- Top 7 Fruitful Trees For Your Farmhouse.
- Apple Trees. Apple trees are a popular choice for farmhouses due to their versatility and fruit-bearing capabilities. ...
- Citrus Trees. ...
- Walnut Trees. ...
- Olive Trees. ...
- Cherry Trees. ...
- Mango Trees. ...
- Eucalyptus Trees.
The chestnut is the most useful tree in the world. There are four major species – American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), European Chestnut (C. sativa), Chinese Chestnut (C. mollissima), and Japanese Chestnut (C.
What is the 10 20 30 rule for tree planting? ›
In the field of urban forestry, science and mythos intertwine in the decades-old – yet perhaps under-studied – maxim of the “10-20-30 rule.” Dating back to a 1990 paper, the rule prescribes that the urban tree population should consist of no more than 10% of any one tree species, 20% of any one genus, or 30% of any one ...
Can too much trees be bad? ›
Because of these susceptibilities, overstocked forests, or dense forests with too many trees, are prone to high rates of tree mortality. These dead trees then provide fuel for and increase the risk of high-intensity wildfires that can be catastrophic for the forest and surrounding communities.
What is the optimal tree farm height? ›
Since the player can only harvest 7 blocks above the ground without climbing on something, the most efficient tree farm design limits the height of trees to 9 blocks. This allows 7 blocks of logs as a "trunk" and 2 block of leaves above that.
What tree has the most healing properties? ›
The Douglas fir is known for its medicinal properties and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Due to its numerous healing properties, it is one of the most commonly used trees in traditional medicine.
Which tree is most useful to humans? ›
Chestnut has been called the Bread Tree – it has been a staple in the diet of people all over the world for thousands of years. It is a very high-quality food source, with the nutritional makeup of grain, yet grows on a tree, without annual tillage of the soil, and can bear crops for 100s of years.
What tree has the most nutrients? ›
Moringa Oleifera is known as the "miracle tree" because its leaves, pods, and seeds are rich in nutrients and it provides many health benefits. It's estimated to contain more than 90 nutrients and 46 different antioxidants!
Do trees have healing energy? ›
The benefits of forest therapy: renewal and vitality
In addition to reducing stress and enhancing our overall well-being, forest bathing stimulates vitality, strengthens our immune system, and awakens our senses to the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us.
