AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree 

AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree

How much you’ll be paid

£17.83 per tree

How this item benefits the environment

An agroforestry system creates a range of benefits and supports the main output of

the farm by:

• reducing soil erosion
• providing shelter and shade for livestock
• mitigating the impacts of climate change
• improving water and air quality
• helping to mitigate flood risk

Where you can use this item

You can use this item to plant fruit trees that make up an in-field agroforestry system before applying for a maintenance action (see the ‘Other items and actions you can use with this item’ section below for more information).

In-field agroforestry is where trees are deliberately combined with agriculture on the same piece of land.

Before you plant in-field agroforestry trees, you must check the sensitivity of the land you plan to plant on using the ‘Land with low sensitivity to agroforestry’ data layer.layer].

Regarding agroforestry, land across England is classified into 2 categories:

• low sensitivity to agroforestry mapped on the ‘Land with low sensitivity to agroforestry’ data layer
• more sensitive land (which is all remaining land) - you must carry out environmental checks before you progress your plan – read ‘Planting on more sensitive land’ for more information

Areas marked in blue on the map is low sensitivity land. All other areas are more sensitive land.

When

Planting youon needlow ansensitivity agroforestry plan

land

You mustdo havenot anneed approvedto complete an agroforestry plan if you:

• areyou’re usingplanning thisto itemplant intrees aon Countrysidelow Stewardshipsensitivity Higherland Tierat (CSHT) application
a:
• havevery breedinglow wadersdensity on(30 yourto land50 trees per hectare)
• arelow plantingdensity on(51 lowto sensitivity130 land,trees butper arehectare)

You notmust usinguse Table 1 to follow the correct planting patternspattern and tree spacingspacing.

You describedmust inhave Tablean 1

• areagroforestry plantingplan onapproved by the Forestry Commission before you apply for this capital item if you’re planning to plant trees at a medium or high density (131 trees or more sensitiveper land

hectare).

You can choose to apply for funding for a PA4: Agroforestry planplan..

You may also need to complete a forestry Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – the Forestry Commission will advise you on this. Read the Environmental Impact Assessments for woodland guidance for more information.

Planting on more sensitive land

You must have youran agroforestry plan approved by the Forestry Commission before you startcan anyapply work.for this capital item on more sensitive land, regardless of the planned density of the trees.

When

You youcan maychoose needto anapply agriculturalfor Environmentalfunding Impactfor Assessmenta (EIA)

PA4: Agroforestry plan.

More sensitive land is land not coloured blue on the land with low sensitivity to agroforestry data layer.

You may also need a screeningto decisioncomplete undera theforestry EIA (Agriculture)– Regulations whenthe makingForestry changesCommission towill uncultivatedadvise land,you semi-naturalon areasthis. andRead ruralthe landEnvironmental (checkImpact yourAssessments landfor typewoodland guidance). for more information. This includes a list of sensitive land.

IfThe needed,Forestry Commission may serve you mustan applyenforcement fornotice a screeningif decisionit andfinds getyou:

• are approvalcarrying out work subject to beginforestry EIA regulations without consent
• have breached the workconditions beforeof a previously granted consent

An enforcement notice will require you maketo anyrestore changes.the land to its previous condition, among other things. Failure to comply with an enforcement notice carries a penalty on conviction of an unlimited fine

When you may need aan forestryagricultural EIA  EIA

You may needrequire toa completescreening adecision forestryunder the agricultural EIA ifregulation willwhen beplanting:

• on plantinguncultivated treesland and semi-natural areas (including historic features) to avoid damage through increases in anagricultural agroforestryproductivity
• on systemrural thatland meetsto theprevent Forestrydamage Commission’sfrom definitionphysical ofrestructuring woodland.(including Thebut Forestrynot Commissionlimited canto adding, adviseremoving youor onchanging this.

  Readthe the Environmentaltype Impactof Assessmentsfencing foror woodlandadding, guidance forremoving moreor information.

  moving materials including soil)

Breeding waders on low sensitivity land

If you have breeding waders on your land you must do an agroforestry plan to show how you will mitigate any impact on them. Breeding waders include:

• lapwing
• redshank
• curlew
• snipe
• oystercatcher
• stone curlew

Sites

If withyou’re areasplanting oftrees ecological,on archaeologicallow orsensitivity historicland interest

Youat musta notlow plantor treesvery wherelow theydensity could(130 damagetrees areas of ecological, archaeological or historicfewer interest.

Ifper you’reha), planting trees, you must not plant on any historic or archaeological features identified on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

Protected sites

You must also not plant trees where they could damage protected sites, including:

• sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)
• special areas of conservation (SACs)
• special protection areas (SPAs)
• Ramsar sites

Buffer zones

You may need to create a treeless buffer zone if you’re planting near:

• protected sites
• scheduled monuments
• registered parks and gardens
• registered battlefields

If you’re planting on low sensitivity land and have chosen to create an agroforestry plan, it should include details of any buffer zones you may need to create.

What you must do to use this item

YouIf mustyou haveuse anthis approveditem agroforestryfor planCountryside (ifStewardship applicable)Higher andTier, you must ensure you have any consents or permissions in place before you start work.

When planning,planning an in-field agroforestry trees, you must:

• follow the planting plan in your approved agroforestry plan, if applicable
• use Table 1 to follow the correct planting pattern and tree spacing for low sensitivity land at low or very low density ifor youfollow doyour notapproved need an agroforestry plan if applicable
• use Table 2 to follow the correct planting pattern and tree spacing for anylow sensitivity land at anya medium or high density ifor youmore havesensitive anland approvedat agroforestryany plandensity
• supply and plant fruit trees with vigorous or semi-vigorous rootstocks by checking the agroforestry eligible species list  list
• only use named cultivar trees
• plant bare-rooted fruit trees between November and March, while they are not in leaf
• select planting stock that complies with the Forest Reproductive Material Regulations 2002 (where applicable) and is appropriate in size and stock type to site and prevailing conditions
• use trees that are free from pests and diseases (get your plants from nurseries with plant health management standards in place, such as Plant Healthy certification or similar)
• supply and plant fruit trees with vigorous or semi-vigorous rootstocks by checking the agroforestry eligible species list

When planting,planting an in-field agroforestry tree you must:

• remove all grass and weeds in a 1 metre (m) diameter circle around each tree station before planting
• keep young trees weed free for 3 years using a mulch, an appropriate herbicide or weeding by hand
• use tree species appropriate for the soil and climatic conditions that support the planting objectives
• create a suitable planting position by spraying herbicide in advance, scarifying in lines or preparing a bare patch of land (screefing) with a spade
• use a planting method that helps survival, with roots fully inserted in the ground with the root collar at ground level (the tree must be firmed in without damaging the stem)
• plant the trees in a pit deep and wide enough to contain the full depth and width of the root system with room to spare
• make sure the tree’s graft union is at least 75mm above ground level
• protect young trees from livestock and grazing animals

Once the trees are established,established you must:

• stake standard trees and tie them securely (maiden trees can be established successfully without staking)
• tie the tree to the stake above the grafting union so it’s held firmly upright but some movement is allowed
• use flexible and adjustable tree ties to prevent wind damage, such as rubber ties
• maintain the stakes and ties until the tree is established, loosening the ties if they cut into the tree
• remove the ties once the tree is established and no longer requires support
• if using tree guards, make sure they allow access to the tree for formative pruning, applying mulch and clearing vegetation around the base
• maintain protection until the trees are big enough to survive potential threats
• replace all dead plants in the following planting season (each grant funded tree must be alive and in good condition by the end of an agreement)
• retain trees for at least 10 years and keep the same number of trees as specifiedagreed in your agreement

You must not:

• plant within 55m metres (m) of a parcel boundary hedge or existing tree canopy
• displace existing priority habitats like existing woodland, wood pasture and parkland and traditional orchards.
• plant on peat deeper than 30 centimetres (cm) without the agreement of Natural England or the Forestry Commission
• allow tree guards to cause damage to the growing tree, such as by fastening tree guards to the tree itself

Table 1: In-field agroforestry tree spacing requirements for low sensitivity land at low or very low tree density if you do not need an agroforestry plan

Land sensitivity and tree density	Number of trees (per ha)	Agroforestry plan required	Planting pattern	Tree spacing
Low sensitivity land, very low density	30 to 50	Optional	Informal and grid pattern (evenly spaced across the parcel)	Plant trees at least 15m apart
Low sensitivity land, low density	51 to 130	Optional	Row or alley pattern	Create rows between 24m and 45m apart, plant trees within these rows least 3m apart

Table 2: In-field agroforestry tree spacing requirements for anymore landsensitive at any density if you have an agroforestry plan

land

Land sensitivity and tree density	Number of trees (per ha)	Agroforestry plan required	Planting pattern	Tree spacing
AnyMore sensitive land, very low density	30 to 50	Yes	Informal and grid pattern or row or alley pattern	Plant trees between 5m and 45m across the area under agreement or create rows between 10m and 45m apart, plant trees within these rows at least 3m apart
AnyMore sensitive land, low density	51 to 130	Yes	Informal and grid pattern	or row and alley pattern	Plant trees between 5m and 45m across the area under agreement or create rows between 10m and 45m apart, plant trees within these rows at least 3m apart
AnyAll land, medium density	131 to 250	Yes	Informal and grid pattern or row and alley pattern	Plant trees between 5m and 45m across the area under agreement or create rows between 10m and 45m apart, plant trees within these rows at least 3m apart
AnyAll land, high density	251 to 400	Yes	Informal and grid pattern or row and alley pattern	Plant trees between 5m and 45m across the area under agreement or create rows between 10m and 45m apart, plant trees within these rows at least 3m apart at least 3m apart

You can contact your local Forestry Commission adviser for more information.

Additional trees to protect in-field agroforestry trees

When planting trees through an agroforestry plan you can plant additional trees, such as hawthorn, to protect the main in-field agroforestry tree.

Additional trees must:

• not be funded through another government scheme
• be planted within 2m of the trees funded through AF1 or AF2

Additional ‘protection’ trees planted in this way do not count towards the overall density of your agroforestry system.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:

• receipted invoices which show the number of trees purchased
• photographs of the completed work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Other items and actions you can use with this item

Capital items

You can use this item with:

• PA4: Agroforestry plan
• AF1: Plant an agroforestry woodland tree
• AF3: Species diversity bonus supplement

SFI actions

You can use this item with these maintenance actions:

• AGF1: Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land
• AGF2: Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions

You can use this item with:

• CAGF1: Manage high density in-field agroforestry
• CAGF2: Manage low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land
• CAGF3: Manage medium density in-field agroforestry
• CAGF4: Manage very low density in-field agroforestry on more sensitive land

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Planning your agroforestry system

You can design your agroforestry system to benefit crops and livestock.

To do this, consider the:

• interaction between your trees and the understory management (how you’re managing the land underneath), particularly with actions on the same parcel
• compatibility of tree species with your crops and livestock, for example competition for light and nutrients
• potential benefits such as shade, shelter and forage
• potential issues such as toxic berries or seeds
• water requirements of your trees and any effects your trees may have on local hydrology

Consider the intended purpose of agroforestry (such as for timber, fruit or nut products). This will affect the tree:

• density
• location
• species

Choose a planting pattern to best suit the purpose of your trees and your agricultural system. For example, you can design silvoarable systems to allow room for arable operations.

You can find recommendations for planting patterns and tree species using the:

• Forestry Commission ecological site classification tool
• Forest Research agroforestry species guide

Before establishing an agroforestry system, consider the impact on birds and other wildlife. You can read more about tree planting and breeding.