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Ìý3 yearsÌý

How muchÌýyou’llÌýbe paidÌý

Ìý£248 per hectare (ha) per year – the hectarage can include:Ìý

• the area used to grow agroforestry treesÌý

• the areas between the trees, used for arable or horticultural crops, grassland or other eligible environmental land management scheme actions or optionsÌý

Action’s aimÌý

This action’s aim is thatÌýthere’sÌýan establishedÌývery lowÌýdensity in-field agroforestry systemÌýthat’sÌýmaintained, so there’s a combination of both:Ìý

• trees (including shrubs)Ìý

• arable or horticultural crops, grassland for forage or areas used for other eligible environmental land management scheme actions or optionsÌý

The purpose of this is to:Ìý

• reduce soil erosion and floodingÌý

• improve water and air qualityÌý

• provide shelter for crops and livestockÌý

• contribute to carbon capture and storageÌý

Where you can do this actionÌý

You can do this action on an eligible in-field agroforestry system on agricultural landÌýlocatedÌýbelow the moorland line that’s:Ìý

• land with a ‘low sensitivity to agroforestry’ – these are the Ìý

• an eligible land type (as defined in section 5.1.1 ‘Eligible land types’ in the SFI26 scheme information)Ìý

• registered with an eligible land cover on your digital mapsÌý

• declared with a land useÌýcode which is compatible with the eligible land coverÌý

You cannot do this action on land with a higher sensitivity to agroforestry (these are the ). This includes:Ìý

• sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) or other sensitive areas which are listed in the guidance on forestry environmental impactÌýassessments(forestry EIA)Ìý

• priority habitats such as species-rich grassland – you can find a list of priority habitats onÌý°Ç¸ç³Ô¹ÏÌý

Eligible in-field agroforestry systems for this actionÌý

To be eligible for this action, the in-field agroforestry system mustÌýcontainÌýestablished trees. They can be at any stage of maturity, including newly planted saplings ifÌýthey’llÌýbe left to become mature trees.Ìý

Fruit trees must be grown on semi-vigorous or vigorous rootstocks. These will usually produce trees least 4 metres (m) tall.Ìý

The existing in-field agroforestry system must also be ‘very low density’.ÌýThis means that across the area in each land parcel youÌýenter intoÌýthis action:Ìý

• there’sÌýan average of 30 to 50 trees per ha, usually planted in rows or a gridÌý

• the trees have been planted far enough apart to mean the potential tree canopy cover will be less than 20%, so a forestry EIA was notÌýrequiredÌý– read the ‘advice to help you do this action’ for more information

Eligible landÌý

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arableÌýcrops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixingÌýcrops	Ìý
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01	Ìý
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01	Ìý
Improved permanent grassland	Permanent grassland	PG01	Ìý
Permanent crops - horticultural	Permanent crops	TC01	Ìý

Eligibility of protected landÌý

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Ineligible – you must not enter any areaÌýthat’sÌýdesignatedÌýas an SSSI into this action.Ìý

Historic and archaeological features: Ineligible – you must not enter any area with an historic or archaeological feature into this action. This only affects the area where the featureÌýis located inÌýa land parcel. You can apply for this action on the remaining area in the land parcel ifÌýit’sÌýeligible.Ìý

Available area you canÌýenter intoÌýthis actionÌý

Total or part of the available area in a land parcel.ÌýIt’sÌýyour responsibility to check that the area you enter is eligible for this action.ÌýÌý

You must do this action on the areaÌýentered intoÌýyour SFI26 agreement. If something happens which means you cannot complete this action on some orÌýall ofÌýthe Ìýarea, you must tell the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in writing as soon as possible. Read section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply with your agreement’ in the SFI26 scheme information to find out how to do this.ÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Rotational or static actionÌý

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action’s duration.Ìý

What to doÌý

You mustÌýmaintainÌýtheÌývery lowÌýdensity in-field agroforestry system in a way that canÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aim. This includes:Ìý

• replacing dead trees, where necessary to make sure the density continues to be an average of at least 30 trees per ha across the area youÌýenter intoÌýthis action in each land parcelÌý

• protecting the trees from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits, to preventÌýserious damageÌý

• managing weeds around the base ofÌýestablishingÌýtreesÌý

• pruning and shaping the trees once they are establishedÌý

When to do itÌý

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.Ìý

How to do itÌý

It’sÌýup to you how you do this action, as long as you:Ìý

• follow this action’s requirements – these areÌýidentifiedÌýby a ‘must’Ìý

• do the action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve this action’s aimÌýÌý

You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

Evidence to keepÌý

You must keep evidence to show whatÌýyou’veÌýdone to complete this action, such as:Ìý

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoicesÌý

• photographs and other documentationÌý

IfÌýit’sÌýnot clear thatÌýyou’veÌýdone this action in a way that couldÌýreasonably beÌýexpected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.Ìý

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this actionÌý

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.Ìý

Scheme	Action orÌýoptionÌýcodes
SFI 2026 actions	AHW10, AHW11, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, BFS1, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, CAHL4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CIGL3, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CLIG3, CNUM2, CNUM3, CSAM2, CSAM3, OFC1, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM4, OFM5, PRF1, PRF2, PRF4, SOH1, SOH3, WBD3, WBD4, WBD6, WBD7	Ìý
SFI 2024 actions	AHW1, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, AHW3, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, CAHL4, CIGL1, CIGL2, CIGL3, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CLIG3, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, HEF8, OFA1, OFA6, OFC1, OFC3, OFC4, OFM1, OFM4, OFM5, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8	Ìý
SFI 2023 actions	AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, AHL4, IGL1, IGL2, IGL3, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, LIG1, LIG2, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, SAM1, SAM2, SAM3	Ìý
CSHT actions from 2025	CAB10, CAB11, CAB14, CAB16, CAB17, CAB18, CAB19, CAB2, CAB6, CAB7, CGS21, CGS4, CPAC1, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CSW13, CSW15, CSW21, CSW23, CSW24, CSW7, CSW8, CWD3, CWS1, CWS3, CWT1, CWT2	Ìý
CS options	AB1, AB10, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, AB2, AB3, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, HS6, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR3, OR4, OT1, OT3, OT4, SW1, SW10, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, WD3, WT1, WT2	Ìý
ES options	No ES revenue options	Ìý

If an action orÌýoptionÌýcannot beÌýlocatedÌýon the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 5.6 ‘Land that’s already in other funding schemes or grants’ in the SFI26 scheme information for more details.ÌýÌý

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action: Ìý

• SFI 2026 actions: CHRW2, BND1, BND2 and WBD2
• SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2 and WBD2Ìý
• SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3  Ìý
• CSHT actions: CHRW4
• CS options: BE3 (management of hedgerows)  Ìý

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

Planning your agroforestry system

If you have not already planted your agroforestry system, before you establish your trees and apply for this action you can plan:

• which planting pattern best suits the purpose of your trees and your agricultural system – for example, designing a silvoarable system to allow space for arable operations
• how you’ll manage the land underneath the trees, particularly if you’re doing otherÌýSFIÌýactions on that land
• which tree species are best to use with your crops and livestock – for example, if there will be competition for light and nutrients
• potential benefits of your agroforestry system, such as shade, shelter and forage
• potential issues, such as toxic berries or seeds
• the water requirements of your trees and any effects your trees may have on local hydrology

You may want to consider applying for the capital item to help you plan your agroforestry system (PA4). Read the guidance on funding and grants for agroforestry for more information.

Tree spacing: forestry EIAs

This action requires that the trees in your existing agroforestry system are spaced in a way that means you do not need to apply for a forestryÌýEIAÌý(under ‘Where you can do this action’).

A forestryÌýEIAÌýis required if you plant trees on 0.5ha or more agricultural land in a way which could create ‘woodland’. TheÌýÌýdefines woodland as ‘land that is predominantly covered in trees, with a canopy cover of at least 20%’.

You do not need to apply for a forestryÌýEIAÌýif you’ve planted the trees in your agroforestry system far enough apart, so the canopy cover is less than 20%. This will usually be the case if you’ve planted them in either:

• a grid pattern, with the trees at least 15m apart
• rows (including alleys) that are between 24m and 45m apart, with the trees 3m apart in each row

Read theÌýguidance on forestry EIAsÌýfor more information.

Managing your agroforestry system: agriculture EIAs

Check if you need an agricultureÌýEIAÌý‘screening decision’ from Natural England if how you’ll manage your agroforestry system will:

• increase the productivity of uncultivated land or semi-natural areas
• add, remove, move or change the nature of a field boundary
• add, remove of distribute earth or other material

Read the guidance on agriculture EIAs for more information.

Maintaining your agroforestry system

The trees in your agroforestry system may be damaged by how you manage the land around the tree. This is because the root system of your trees will usually:

• be quite shallow, with the majority of roots in the top 60 centimetres (cm) of the soil
• spread beyond the tree’s crown

To help protect the root system, you can avoid disturbing the soil within a suitable radius from the trees (a ‘root protection area’). For example, this would be a 1.5m radius from the tree for 3m wide strips of planting. Read the Woodland Trust’s guidance onÌýÌýfor more information.

Activities which could disturb the soil around the trees include:

• ploughing
• harrowing
• poaching by grazing livestock

When you prune and shape the trees once they are established, you may want to consider doing this in a way that means:

• competition for light is managed
• you can access between the trees with machinery
• the trees’ yield of fruit, nuts and forage, as relevant, is optimised
• there’s a balanced tree shape and strong branches to support the fruit or nut crop

You can manage your agroforestry system for timber by early pruning and then high pruning later on. This will help you achieve a branch free clear stem of 3m to 5m from the base of the tree, which can improve the quality of timber.

For detailed guidance on maintaining your agroforestry system, read theÌý.

How to increase biodiversity in your agroforestry system

Agroforestry can benefit integrated pest management by providing habitat for natural predators.

To increase biodiversity in your agroforestry system, you can consider planting:

• wildflower strips on the areas between the trees
• flower rich mixes in the understorey which are left uncut
• cover crops or herbal leys within the cropping alley, between the tree rows

There are severalÌýSFI26Ìýactions that you can do between the trees to increase biodiversity. You can find theseÌýSFIÌýactions under ‘Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action’. For example:

• CIPM2: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks or in-field strips
• CAHL1: Pollen and nectar flower mix
• CSAM3: Herbal leys