Agroforestry – Forest Garden (Pilot)

Forest Gardens are diverse, low-maintenance system of combining food producing understory comprising of fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs and vegetables and a forest overstory forest layer.

Most importantly, forest gardens can be created at small scale to make optimal use of available space on farms, smallholdings, community owned and public lands. Forest gardens are intended to replicate the natural layers of wild plants found in forests on a smaller scale, using trees and plants, fruits, vegetables and other plant species that are useful to growers.

The choice and involvement of the owner is therefore essential in this regard.

Species, Stocking and spacing

There is a scheme requirement to develop 60% stocking of overstorey species (oak, sycamore, Italian Alder, Red oak, walnut, Scots Pine, Spanish Chestnut, Birch and cherry) so this provides significant flexibility to owners in locating overstorey species in relation to site conditions and aspect to maximise available light. One option is to focus the overstory layer to one part of the site or else limit overstorey planting to wide spaced scattering of trees to meet the 60% requirement. Pruning and shaping trees and plants in all layers will be required to optimise yields and ensure even and effective growth.

A minimum stocking rate of 400 trees per hectare is required. Up to 40% of these trees can be fruit and nut trees. A minimum stocking rate of 400 trees per hectare is required. The spacing between rows of trees is up to 25m max. Alternative spacing can be proposed and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Layout, minimum area and width

The minimum plot area and width eligible under FT14 is 0.2ha and 20m tree-to tree, respectively. 1 ha limit per landowner.

Acceptable broadleaf overstorey species include oak, sycamore, Italian Alder, Red oak, walnut, Scots Pine, Spanish Chestnut, Birch and cherry. Other species, including conifers, will be considered on a site-by-site basis.

Up to 40% of the trees can be of fruit and nut trees, selection of understorey fruit trees planted is at the discretion of the forest owner, however species selected should be suited and proven under Irish conditions. Similarly, selection of understory and ground level shrub, fruit and vegetable species is at the discretion of the forest owner.

Grant Rates

Forest Type Agroforestry – Forest Garden	Grant Rates (excluding fencing) €/ha	Annual Premium Payments €/ha	Number of Premiums for Non-Farmers	Number of Premiums for Farmers
FT 14	€6,000	€829	10	10

Further information

Contact your Local Forestry Advisor

Details for the Forest Garden FT14 are set out in the Forestry Standards Manual (link to external website – DAFM)