Ben Butler took over the mixed enterprise, combining arable and grassland with raising beef cattle and grazing ewe lambs, in 2014.
For Ben, balancing a profitable working farm while doing his bit for wildlife and conservation is ‘hugely important’.
‘Should we be producing food or giving up farmland to wildlife?’ he asks. 'I think you can do both. We have been producing food on a good scale… but you don’t have to farm right up to the fence line. There is a place for wildlife.
‘Talking to the older generations, they recall boundaries of fields being hedged,’ he says. ‘We felt it would be nice to put it back.’
Ben applied for the Woodland Trust’s MOREhedges scheme in the spring of 2021, with 250m of native hedgerow trees delivered and planted last Christmas, including mix of blackthorn, crab apple, dogwood, dog rose, field maple and hazel interspersed with 50 common oak trees.
‘I couldn’t fault any of the materials, plants or the process. I wouldn’t have a second thought about going back to the Woodland Trust.’
Ben’s long-standing interest in nature-friendly farming had already seen an increase in birds, flora and fauna – and the new planting will further enhance this by providing shelter and corridors for wildlife.
‘Wildlife is a benefit to what we do,’ he says. ‘It’s good for the image of the industry and it’s good for the environment.
‘The hedges act as a corridor, taking wildlife back to the copse rather than just being open landscape. My dad recalls with pride hedges he planted in the early 80s, which are now coming up nicely.’
If, like Ben, you’re looking to create shelter and enhance biodiversity on your farm, the MOREhedges scheme offers the advice and support you need to plant with confidence. With a simple application process and choice of hedgerow mixes, the Woodland Trust can supply the trees and protection — and cover up to 75% of the cost.
Apply now to receive your trees this planting season.
MOREhedges is funded by Lloyds Bank to support sustainable farming.
To find out more about planting your own hedgerow with the MOREhedges scheme, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant
Why farmers are growing to love trees – with the help of the Woodland Trust
Whether for tree planting on a farm or private land, the Woodland Trust can offer invaluable help in a number
Credit: Sam Oakes / Woodland Trust
How a pair of Yorkshire landowners created a woodland wildlife haven
With help from the Woodland Trust, Christopher and Helen Neave turned their blank canvas into a veritable haven for wildlife.
Credit: Woodland Trust
Woodland dedication: A very 21st century wedding present that'll last well into the 22nd century and beyond
Forget toasters and fondue sets – a dedication with the Woodland Trust makes the perfect present for newlyweds, a romantic and
Credit: WTML
Trees can be a win-win for farming and the environment
Increasing biodiversity, boosting carbon capture, preventing soil erosion, reducing flood risk… these are just some of the many benefits of
Credit: Woodland Trust
How planting trees on your land can help the environment, the wildlife, farmland and more
The Woodland Trust's MOREwoods scheme, supported by Lloyds Bank, is helping landowners across the country to plant trees in an
How woods and hedges will transform your land, the countryside and the lives of future generations
What are the advantages of planting trees?
-
‘When it comes to flat caps, size really does matter’: The hat that's crowned the heads of everyone, from Middle Age peasants to Oscar-winning greatsIf there is one piece of clothing inherently and undeniably British, it is the flat cap, says Amie Elizabeth White, who traces the hat's history from the Middle Ages to modern day.
-
Q is for the Country Life Quiz of the Day, March 24, 2026Today's quiz only asks questions about things beginning with 'Q'.
-
The ancient stretch of the Yorkshire Dales being revitalised by the Woodland TrustIn the space of a few years, the Woodland Trust have already begun to transform Snaizeholme. Now they urgently need your help to take this wonderful project on to the next stage.
-
Plant trees for pollinators in need with the Woodland TrustWe can’t live without the industrious insects that pollinate our crops and support our ecosystem. Many of their populations are in decline, but you can help by creating a haven of nectar and nesting sites on your land this planting season.
-
The Welsh WaySustainable, ethical and unmatched for taste, Welsh Lamb is as good as meat gets.
-
How planting trees can fight flooding and improve your soilRecord-breaking rainfall and a changing climate convinced Leicestershire farmer Rachael Spence that she needed to find a way to combat flooding and improve her soil. The answer? Planting more trees, which have helped reduce flood risk and future-proof her land and business.
-
Planning beyond your futureThe number of people being hit by inheritance tax has soared in recent years, yet many of us have no idea if our beneficiaries will be liable and what to do if we are. The experts at Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) can help.
-
The call of the wild, from gliding past hippos on a mokoro to riding alongside cheetahs and giraffesWhether following migrating wildebeest on foot, gliding past hippos on a mokoro, or riding alongside giraffes, little beats the thrill of an Aardvark safari.
-
The safaris that deliver wild encounters for the whole familyAardvark Safaris create tailor-made wildlife trips in Africa to thrill all ages.
-
Restore the natural balance on your land with treesPlanting trees isn't just about how they look — they can help increase biodiversity, provide shelter, prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding and much more, as more and more farmers are finding.
