Conventional wisdom

in the past has been

that livestock and trees can’t

co-exist. Yet modern

agricultural practice is

showing that livestock and

trees not only can co-exist,

but, if properly managed,

can provide additional

income from land formerly

used for a single crop.

orking Trees 

for Livestock

W

Agroforestry

Trees can provide livestock

with protection from cold

wind and blowing snow in

winter, as well as from the

hot sun and drying winds of

summer. And, if

commercially desirable

timber or nut trees are

planted, landowners can

enjoy significant additional

income from this diverse use

of their land.

This publication will

acquaint you with some of

the specific ways you and

your land can benefit by

putting trees to work for

your livestock.

Working Trees 

protect livestock 

from the stressful

effects of winter and

offer relief in the

summer. They can

also create diversified

income opportunities.
Utilizing the same acreage for both forage and

trees can produce many benefits. By planting

the right kinds of crop trees, the air space over existing

forage lands can provide income beyond that produced

by livestock alone. With proper management to insure

adequate sunlight for forage, a pasture with trees can

produce substantial beef gains and tree crop returns.

Diversify with tree/forage systems

On pastures or grasslands without existing trees, plant rows of

pines or nut-producing trees, spaced to allow adequate sunlight

penetration for forage growth. If needed, spaces between rows can

be planted in shade-tolerant grasses suitable for your area and

climate. When livestock are used to graze the forage, a planned

grazing system will be needed to assure proper management of the

forage, trees, and wildlife habitat.

Benefits from adding trees

Many coniferous woodlands and a few select hardwood plantations

can be transformed into tree/forage systems. By selectively removing/

harvesting the correct number of trees, enough light will reach the

soil to allow growth of forage under the tree canopy. Remaining

trees should grow faster and have increased value. Proper livestock

grazing or haying of the forages provide annual returns. Desirable

wildlife are often attracted to the extra food and cover.

Benefits from adding forage

Wood products

Timber harvesting for lumber,

furniture, or pulpwood can be an

ongoing source of income as trees

are thinned, selectively cut, or

harvested at maturity.

Nuts & fruit

Nuts in commercial demand

include walnuts, almonds, pecans,

and hazelnuts. A wide variety of

orchard fruits and berries may also

be produced.

Wildlife

Many songbirds, game birds, and

animal species are attracted by the

food, nesting sites, and protection

provided by trees that are added to

existing forage land.

Hay

Forage not utilized for your own

cattle can be mowed, baled, and sold

as a source of supplemental income.

Or, a pasture may be rented to

others for grazing.

Livestock

The shaded and sheltered forest

pasture environment provides

protected grazing where livestock

can grow faster with less

environmental stress.

Wildlife

A forested area that also includes

forage is often a more attractive

habitat for wildlife than an area

with trees alone.

Farm 3-dimensionally – increase your usable acreage

Trees

Livestock 

& forage
Putting trees to work for livestock produces

the following benefits for:

Wildlife – Tree/forage systems and

windbreaks provide diversity of habitat and

cover for many species of terrestrial wildlife.

Fish and other aquatic animals are benefited

by the role of trees in reducing erosion and

filtering pollutants and agricultural runoff.

Benefits for all Water – Trees break the fall of heavy rain,

allowing water to percolate into the ground.

Tree roots help filter pollutants from runoff

and groundwater.

Air – Trees help reduce offensive odors and

reduce airborne dust from concentrated

livestock areas.

Soil – Tree foliage breaks the fall of heavy

rain, helping to prevent erosion and allowing

water to infiltrate into the ground. Tree roots

hold soil in place.

Plants – Trees in an agricultural setting

provide greater plant diversity, making for a

healthier ecosystem.

Humans – Trees create a more aesthetically

pleasing landscape, provide a source of income

and economic activity, and create settings

for active and passive outdoor recreation.
Pasture windbreaks

A windbreak at the edge of a pasture provides herds with

protection from wind and blowing snow.

Protect your livestock with trees

Hog & poultry facilities

Swine and poultry benefit from protective windbreaks and

shade-providing trees.

Living barns

The encircling trees of a living barn can be the difference

in herd survival in open pastures or range in the winter.

Dairy herd protection

Barns, pens, and milking parlors that are protected by trees

can increase milk yields from dairy herds.

Feedlot windbreaks

A feedlot windbreak like this one can reduce wind velocity

as much as 70 percent, reducing animal stress.

Shade trees

Shade trees in a pasture provide welcome places where

livestock can find relief on hot summer days.
The planting of income-producing trees

or shrubs interspersed with forage species

can provide landowners with additional

crop income from the same acreage. In

addition to extra income from timber,

nuts, or fruit, trees provide habitat for

wildlife and lend natural beauty to the

rural landscape. 

With modern agroforestry methods, it is

possible to balance tree density with

sufficient sunlight penetration to insure

healthy forage growth.

Putting trees to work...

Windbreaks or living barns can

significantly lower stress on animals

and, consequently, reduce feed energy

requirements. The benefits to farmers

and ranchers include better animal

health, lower feed costs, and greater

financial gain.

During the summer months, trees can

reduce livestock stress by providing

cooling shade and protection from hot

winds.

...to protect your

livestock

...to diversify

your farm
Local assistance

There are technical specialists in your area

who can assist you with the planning,

design, application, and maintenance of

your Working Trees for Livestock practice.

Contact your nearest State Forestry agency,

USDA Natural Resources Conservation

Service, County Extension Office, or Soil

and Water Conservation District.

Some working tree practices can be

supported by cost share incentives

provided by the Federal, State, or Local

government. Contact your local

conservation agencies for information

about the various incentives available.

Contact the USDA National Agroforestry

Center, 1945 N. 38th St., Lincoln, NE

68583–0822. Phone: 402–437–5178; Fax:

402–437–5712

For free copies of this brochure, visit:

www.unl.edu/nac/order.htm

Want more information?

Contact: USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), 1945 N. 38th St., Lincoln, NE 68583–0822. Phone: 402–437–5178; Fax: 402–437–5712; Website: www.unl.edu/nac.

The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of the Forest Service (Research & Development and State & Private Forestry) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It is

administered by the Forest Service, Southern Research Station; its program manager and headquarters are located in Huntsville, AL, on the campus of Alabama A&M University, while its research,

clearinghouse, and technology transfer staff are concentrated in Lincoln, NE, at the University of Nebraska. NAC’s purpose is to accelerate the development and application of agroforestry

technologies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable land use systems. To accomplish its mission, NAC interacts with a national network of partners and cooperators to

conduct research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, and provide useful information to natural resource professionals.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all

prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the

USDA’s TARGET Center at 202–720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 202–720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

First Edition 1998, Second Printing 1999; Second Edition 2001; Third Edition 2008

A partnership of

National assistance