The Irish Agroforestry Forum will establish and manage this supporting website, input to policy makers and organise such meetings, conferences, training/knowledge transfer events as will further its aims.

It will also represent Irish interests at the European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) and bring the benefits from EURAF members’ experiences to practitioners in Ireland.

We see a dynamic role for trees on farms (which can incorporate timber production), but also biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water cycle quality, and security and animal welfare.

Using trees in an agroforestry context allows for increased farm incomes from fruit and nut trees as well as speciality quality timber production options:

• Trees for fodder and browse

• Trees for coppice

• Trees for timber, fruit, nuts, or long-standing trees

• The use of fast growing trees like poplar and willow for water filtration

• Pioneer trees for “nursing” long-standing trees

• Shelterbelts

• Short rotation coppice and pollards

• Trees for creating and linking habitats

• Riparian woodland for protection and enhancement of water quality.