Sma Wids officially launched at BeefTech 2025
A new scheme that was inspired by His Majesty The King is breaking ground to plant thousands of trees initially across 40 “sma wids” in the Buchan area launched at BeefTech 2025, today, Wednesday 28 May.
A working group was formed which resulted in a successful 2023/24 pilot planting more than 4,000 trees across ten “sma wids” in the River Ugie catchment. The scheme aims to deliver upwards of 40 new small woodland areas of 0.25Ha each, including hedgerows, over the next two years although the ambition is to extend the scheme beyond an initial two year period.
There are currently no schemes which provide support establishing small plantings of this size and the hope is that it will encourage more farmers to plant trees and hedgerows on land which has little arable use.
Sma Wids aims to boost the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape in Aberdeenshire by helping landowners to create valuable, small new woodland assets on underutilised areas of land with minimal fuss and maximum support.
Successful applicants will receive one-to-one support from a project officer, who will co-design planting schemes and supply all the trees, stakes, and planting materials at no cost.
Bruce Mackie, Chair of Aberdeenshire Sma Wids said: “Sma Wids creates rich habitats for wildlife, plants, fungi and pollinating inspects. When planted alongside watercourses, trees can stabilise riverbanks, reduce the effects of flooding, provide nutrients in the form of fallen leaves for river-life and create shade to prevent water temperatures rising.
“Farmers and landowners who participate in the scheme are only asked to plant the trees or hedgerow and sign a Sma Wids pledge agreeing that they will be maintained. It’s just a practical, well supported opportunity to make a positive change on your land.”
Sma Wids schemes can include small woodland plantings of up to 0.25ha in size, hedgerows of up to 100m in length and individual trees planted as field boundary markers or within wood pasture and parkland.
Applications open on 1 July 2025 and the scheme hopes to engage with farmers and landowners who have not previously participated in tree planting initiatives.
For more information and to register a note of interest, contact Jane Oosterhof at janeoosterhof@gmail.com
Aberdeenshire Sma Wids is supported by Scottish Forestry, The Royal Countryside Fund, Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Woodlands Ltd, NFU Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council. It is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCO54033).