Trees and Sheep

This week the Grampian Regional Forestry Forum had an informative and interesting visit to the James Hutton Research Station at Glensaugh in Aberdeenshire.

During the visit the group visited the experimental agroforestry plots where areas of Scots pine, larch and sycamore were planted at varying planting densities of 100 trees per hectare (ha) and 400 trees per ha. Agroforestry systems on the open hill combine pasture grazing for sheep with the trees providing shelter for livestock. The trees also add to the landscape quality of the local countryside.It was interesting to see a new area of agroforestry planted with ash. A sturdy supporting post is required to prevent the stock knocking the tree over as they are a preferred rubbing post. In the past ash was cut and used as fodder for livestock.

You can visit these plots yourself via a self-guided trail, find out more on the James Hutton Institute website.