FARMERS are being urged to make more of trees through a free scheme aimed at increasing woodlands.

A few have already signed up for the Woodland Advisory Service being offered by Staveley’s Cumbria Woodlands.

But now the organisation is urging more to come forward.

Office manager Sarah Rose said: “The take up hasn’t been as high with farmers as it has with general woodland owners, so we are trying to impress upon them the fact it is very beneficial and free.

“Woodlands have the potential for everything from reducing heating bills by burning wood, through to helping to offset the effects of climate change – and we can help farmers get on board.

“We provide a day of free advice and support to include a site visit. If further information, advice or technical help is needed, a further two days are available for a small charge.”

Farmer Glenis Postlethwaite has taken up the offer and said she was ‘thrilled’ with the results.  “We needed advice on new energy efficient wood-fuel boilers that are available, and also wanted to sell trees for timber and fuel.  "Finding someone able to give an independent valuation was a huge help for us,” she said The service is available to any owner of an under-managed woodland of an acre or more in Cumbria.

Michael and Moira Roberts, whose wood lies east of Kendal, were two of the first to use the scheme.

Mr Roberts said: “It has proved to be a most timely and invaluable consultancy, especially for people like us who were newcomers to the wonderful world of owning a wood. The process of applying for this support was very straightforward and conducted quickly with the minimum of fuss.

“The scope to 'get it wrong' is significant but we now feel more confident to proceed.”

Edward Mills, director of Cumbria Woodlands, said: “It is so important that our woodlands are well managed.

"We cannot afford to have woodlands lying fallow and not providing a return of some kind, whether it’s in the form of timber, fuel, a livelihood, sequestered carbon or simply a landscape feature.”

To find out more about the woodland advisory service, call 01539 822140 or email info@cumbriawoodlands.co.uk.