Agroforestry planting on a mob-grazed field in East Sussex

This agroforestry partnership with a landwoner in East Sussex involves planting of native, broadleaf trees and shrubs within a sloping field of 6ha, which is mob-grazed by a small organic beef herd.

Each year since the 2022-23 winter planting season, a group of dedicated, hardworking and collegiate volunteers has completed silvopastoral tree planting of this project. Planting has enhanced existing tree lines (planted in 2020), helping to establish vibrant, infield hedgerows. In addition, 10 large clusters of native, broadleaf tree species (including oak, small-leaved lime, rowan, hornbeam, hazel, hawthorn) have been integrated into the infield hedgerows and re-stock annually when needed. The planting of each tree cluster (30 trees each) is designed to allow cattle access (when trees are mature enough) and to enable mob-grazing and hay cutting to continue.

While mob-grazing improves grassland productivity, biodiversity and soil health, the tree planting will provide shelter for the cattle from rain, wind and heat, will create more wildlife space, increasing biodiversity, will improve infiltration into the soil thereby reducing run-off, and will contribute to reducing atmospheric carbon.