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Shade, Shelter, and Stock: The Hidden Benefits of Trees for Livestock Health

By Inez Williams – King


As British farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather, rising input costs, and growing scrutiny on animal welfare, many are looking for practical, low-cost tools to keep livestock productive and protected. One solution is often hiding in plain sight: trees.


Beyond carbon or biodiversity goals, trees; whether shelterbelts, hedgerows, or scattered in field trees, can be vital infrastructure on a working livestock farm. From protecting newborn stock to improving weight gain in summer grazing, trees provide benefits that go beyond the sentimental and into the strategic. 


Weatherproofing the Herd

The UK’s climate is becoming more extreme. Hotter summers, wetter winters, and more intense storms are no longer rare events, they’re the new normal. Take the summer of 2022[1] or even 2025[2][3] as just two examples in as many years. For livestock, these conditions can be stressful, even dangerous[4]  with the change in weather a cause of concern for 80% of farmers[5][6].


Heat stress in dairy cows can reduce milk yields by up to 25%[7], while cold winds and wet conditions can cause energy loss in lambs and young calves, increasing mortality risks and feed costs.

That’s where trees step in. Shelter from well-positioned trees can create microclimates that protect animals from heat, wind and rain. Acting as a natural, low-maintenance solution with multiple returns.


Herdwick grazing in continuous cover forestry. A nature-friendly and sustainable woodland management approach that involves selectively thinning trees to maintain a diverse forest structure while producing timber.
Herdwick grazing in continuous cover forestry. A nature-friendly and sustainable woodland management approach that involves selectively thinning trees to maintain a diverse forest structure while producing timber.

Shelterbelts That Do More Than Block Wind

Well-designed shelterbelts, or lines of trees or mixed hedges that cut across open fields, can reduce wind speeds by 30–50% for hundreds of metres downwind. This has direct benefits for livestock, especially in lambing or calving seasons[8]. Research has shown [9]. Farmers have also reported better ground conditions in sheltered fields — less poaching, faster pasture recovery, and improved nutrient cycling.


Summer Shade: The Forgotten Welfare Issue

Heat stress is often overlooked in the UK, but with summer temperatures now frequently exceeding 30°C in parts of the country, it’s becoming a growing concern[10][11].


Have you ever noticed how your herd congregates under the hedge, a single lone tree or historic woodland copse, with areas of poaching or disturbed ground evidence in the soils beneath.  

Scattered trees or field-edge copses provide shade that reduces heat stress and encourages more even grazing patterns. In silvopasture trials, shaded areas were found to increase time spent grazing, resulting in better daily liveweight gains compared to open pasture alone.[12]


Trees as Fodder and Emergency Feed

In times of drought or delayed grass growth, tree fodder — the leaves of willow, poplar, or ash — has long been a fallback. In fact, it was common practice in parts of the UK up until the early 20th century[13][14]. With growing veterinary research into the natural de-worming properties of certain trees, it’s a case of reflecting on largely forgotten these systems, but still used in parts of Europe and taking the best bits forward to create a resilient business[15] 


Trials have shown that tree leaves can offer high crude protein levels[16], and act as a mineral-rich supplement during periods of grass shortfall. Goats, sheep, and even cattle will self-select tree browse if available[17].


Easy Wins With What You’ve Already Got

Not every farmer wants to plant new trees — and that’s okay. Many already have underused tree assets on their farms: neglected hedgerows, forgotten corners, or windblown copses.


“A lot of value can be unlocked by just managing what’s already there,” says Mark and Andy Williams who manage our home farm where The Grower is based.  “Restoring hedgerows, gapping up old field boundaries, or lightly managing tree cover can improve livestock conditions without large investment.” In fact it’s how we started our agroforestry journey 25 years ago, by changing our hedgerow management practices to a cutting cycle of every 3-5 years and leaving the tops to grow out.


For example:

  • Fencing off parts of an existing copse and allowing controlled access for shade.

  • Rotational pruning of hedgerows to increase density and shelter function.

  • Using mobile fencing to manage grazing under scattered trees without compaction.

  • Thinning of woodland cover to allow for dappled shade, promoting understory diversity and grazing potential.


There are also opportunities to combine tree management with eligibility for agri-environment schemes, like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) or Countryside Stewardship.


Risks and Practical Considerations

Of course, it’s not all upside. Trees must be managed carefully to avoid problems:

  • Toxic species like yew, cherry, and some acacias should be avoided in grazing areas.

  • Fallen branches after storms can pose risks to youngstock.

  • Dense shade can suppress pasture growth if not managed properly this is different to dappled shade which can promote understory growth and diversity.


The key is thoughtful design and integration. Shelterbelts should be aligned to prevailing winds, not block access or machinery routes. Shade trees should be spaced to balance sun, grazing, and shelter.


But you’re not alone there is increasing support available from the Local Authorities[18], Charities[19] like the Wildlife Trusts[20], NFU[21] and FWAG[22] with FREE advise often available or at a subsidised fee. By utilising these skill sets it can take the pressure off a farmers already very busy day and ensure a management plan or new planting scheme that can support and enhance your business for the future.  


You don’t need to reforest your whole farm. Even a few well-placed trees can create big gains for animal welfare and resilience,  and many farmers already have the knowledge from older generations to guide them.


Or get in touch we are always happy to run through ideas and talk about our own experience.


[12] — Vet Sustain. Chesshire, H; Lead Farming Advocate for the Woodland Trust, Trees on farms: Helping deliver a sustainable future for livestock farmers and the countryside

 

[13] Kendall, N.R. et al.(2019); Woodland Trust. Tree leaves as supplementary feed for ruminant livestock; Impacts of agroforestry on pest control and pollination - Woodland Trust

[14] Green, T (2016); FORGOTTEN FOOD TREE HAY; Ancient Tree Forum, UK 3 rd European Agroforestry Conference Montpellier, 23-25 May 2016 Silvopastoralism (oral). EURAF2016 - Book of Abstracts final.pdf

[15] Eileen L McWilliam,∗Tom N Barry and Nicolas L’opez-Villalobo (2005); Organic matter digestibility of poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix) forage trees and its in vitro prediction; Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture;  (PDF) Organic matter digestibility of poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix) forage trees and its in vitro prediction

 

[16] BOKI LUSKE1 , NICK VAN EEKEREN (2014). Renewed interest for silvopastoral systems in Europe – an inventory of the feeding value of fodder trees. ) Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference. ‘Building Organic Bridges’, at the Organic World Congress 2014, 13-15 Oct., Istanbul, Turkey (eprint ID 24175). isofar

[17] Galland S., Dind A., Schmid N., Mesbahi G., Dubois S., Probo M., Mariotte P. (2025); Swiss Agricultural Research; Fodder Trees: a Supplementary Forage Resource for Livestock - Agrarforschung Schweiz

[18] Many councils are currently writing their Local nature recovery strategies - GOV.UK early engagement with your Local Authority can help secure priorities and funding for your farm business. 

 
 
 

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