The tree-planting is part of a community forests project , externalfunded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to “enhance and enrich the environment”.
Ramsland Farm is being converted to organic but ecologist Robbie Phillips, who is leading the tree planting, said even farms that do not use pesticides and artificial fertilisers struggle with run-off.
“These fields have still got stock in, so when there’s extreme rainfall events, which are becoming more common, the trees will capture some of that loose sediment and soil, filter out some nutrients and then ensure that what ends up flowing through to the river courses is actually nice and clean water,” he said.
There are about 30 species of mostly native trees going in and 25 different fruit and nut varieties.
“It might take quite a few years but hopefully there’ll be walnuts coming off this farm within 10 years,” he said.
“If you can create something that’s both a solution to a problem but also an additional enhancement on the farm then that’s where you’re really winning.”