Agroforestry in action: Welsh farmers ‘go nuts’ with tree trial

Martyn Williams and Alison Harwood have planted walnut and sweet chestnut trees on a one-hectare south-facing slope overlooking the River Towy.

They have chosen varieties that are a good match for conditions at Old Castle Farm, Llangain.

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As the UK’s climate heats, nut farming is becoming more economically viable. Yet there’s uncertainty about how well suited this enterprise is to the weather conditions in west Wales or the free-draining and slightly acidic loam soils at the site.

To investigate, Martyn and Alison have received funding from the Farming Connect ‘Try Out Fund,’ an initiative providing financial support for farmers to experiment with new farming methods.

To ensure the trees’ well-being, Martyn and Alison are also researching alternative mulching methods (Image: Supplied)

They have planted 20 walnut trees and 20 sweet chestnut trees, varieties selected for growth characteristics matched to the latitude in this region.

“I love planting trees,” Martyn said. “They could be around for hundreds of years, long after we have gone. I get that farmers need to produce food to feed us, but this will be our legacy.” 

To ensure the trees’ well-being, Martyn and Alison are also researching alternative mulching methods, like using wool or shells from a local beach, to balance soil temperature and retain moisture, and the area is being kept weed-free to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture.

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Despite the promise nut farming shows, Martyn says that growing food from trees is something Wales lags behind in as compared to other European regions.

Climate change and plans to alter Welsh farming policy demand the exploration of distinct food-production approaches.

Appreciative of the funding obtained, Martyn said: “It has given us a bit of a free rein, taking the pressure off trialling an enterprise that might or might not be viable.’’