The Rottal Estate in Angus is inviting farmers and other land managers to see how they have integrated trees into their business for the benefit of the environment and productivity.

Dee Ward owns and runs the family’s 8,000 acre estate within the Angus Glens.

He has transformed the estate’s natural capital through a number of environmental improvements, which include boosting tree cover in key locations.

As part of the Integrating Trees Network initiative, Dee aims to share his experiences to help others who are considering establishing more woodland on their property.

The event is being held on the Rottal Estate on Wednesday 12 June from 1-4pm.

Mr Ward said:

“We’ve taken action over the years to really boost the environmental benefits of the estate and with this it has also brought multiple business benefits too.

“I’d like to share how we went about transforming our estate, covering what our vision was, our objectives and what actions we implemented.

“The benefits from increasing woodland areas on the estate are very tangible. They range from boosts to biodiversity, shelter and shade for livestock, helping to increase fish numbers, and mitigating flood areas as well as carbon sequestration.”

The Rottal Estate has been very proactive in contour planting to improve the landscape as well as establishing more woodlands along the Rottal Burn.

Along with promoting the natural regeneration of trees, this work has helped juvenile fish populations and encouraged many forms of wildlife to make the estate their home.

Advice on forestry grants and how best to apply will also be highlighted at the event with key Scottish Forestry staff attending.

Lyn White is their forestry and farming development officer and she is keen to see as many farmers and other landowners attending as possible. She said:

“The Integrating Trees Network events are a great way for farmers and land managers to see how others have successfully grown trees to boost their business.

“Growing trees can provide many benefits and we use these events to explain how to go about it, with no hard sell.

“There are many forestry grants that farmers can take advantage of and we will be able to discuss these in full on the day.”