How to Grow Hay with Trees (and Why You Should)
Agroforestry, integrating trees into working farmland, is gaining momentum as a practical and profitable way to improve soil health, diversify income, and build long-term resilience. One of the simplest ways to get started? Pairing trees with hay in an alley cropping system.
By planting trees in wide rows with hay growing in between, farmers and land owners can maintain hay production while investing over the long-term with trees. Whether it’s chestnuts, black locust, or native hardwoods, this approach provides both short-term cash flow and long-term financial stability.
Hay and Chestnut Alley-Cropping in Maysville, KY
Hay and Trees: A Balanced Approach to Farm Income
Think of hay as your checking account—it provides steady income year to year. The trees, on the other hand, are your 401(k)—a long-term investment that grows in value over time.
For farmers, this means multiple revenue streams:
Selling hay or leasing hay fields to another producer.
Avoiding the cost of brush hogging unproductive fields.
Establishing a high-value tree that can generate strong returns in the future.
Depending on land quality and costs, tree investments can yield returns comparable to U.S. Treasury Bonds or even generate an IRR in the mid-teens. This blended approach allows farmland owners to optimize their land use while creating a legacy for future generations.
Will the Trees Shade Out the Hay?
A common concern with alley cropping is whether trees will eventually outcompete the hay for sunlight. The answer depends on tree spacing and management goals.
If the trees are planted close together (20-30 feet between rows), they will likely shade out hay after 5–8 years. However, the land can still be grazed with cattle, which thrive with tree shade—studies show that cattle gain 60% more weight on hot days when shade is available.
If the goal is to maintain long-term hay production, spacing trees 130 feet between rows ensures that hay yield remains high.
Choosing the Right Trees for Your Farm
The key to success is choosing the right tree species for the right soil type, and aligning trees with long-term farm goals. Here are a few options:
🌰 Chestnuts: Thrive in well-drained, acidic soil and offer a high-value nut crop, similar to soils where holly, blueberries, and red oak grow well. Ideal for Southeastern Ohio, Eastern Kentucky, and most of Tennessee.
🌿 Black Locust: A fast-growing hardwood used for fence posts and deck boards, lasting 3–4x longer than treated wood. Grows well in high-rainfall areas like Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Note that juvenile black locust wood has thorns, so land managers should carefully consider whether this species is suitable for their farm before planting.
🌳 Native Hardwoods (Hickory, Oak, Walnut, Persimmon, Mulberry): Best for flood-prone or high water table land. Can be grown for timber, nut production, or wildlife habitat.
Since most farms contain a variety of soil types, we don't have to limit ourselves to just one group of tree species. Low-lying areas often have more clay but may be adjacent to sandy loam, while steep hills can transition into deep, level soil.
Environmental Benefits Beyond Profitability
Pairing trees with hay isn’t just good for the farm—it’s good for the environment:
Biodiversity: Tree-hay systems in Kentucky doubled bird species diversity compared to soybean fields.
Water Management: Trees reduce soil erosion, improving water quality in streams, lakes, and rivers.
Flood Prevention: One acre of cropland produces as much flood runoff as 18–24 acres of forest. Adding trees can protect communities downstream from flooding.
Getting It Right: Planning for Success
Setting up an alley cropping system requires careful planning, from selecting the right trees to choosing row spacing that fits farm equipment and production goals. Working with an experienced agroforestry developer can save time and maximize efficiency in the planting process.
At Propagate, we help farmland owners plan, operate, and manage agroforestry systems through:
✅ Farm planning software to assess land suitability and financial returns.
✅ Technical assistance for tree selection, planting, and long-term management.
✅ Project development & financing to help farms de-risk their agroforestry investments.
Conclusion: Why Consider Hay Alley Cropping?
Pairing trees with hay creates real long-term value, balancing short-term farm income with a lasting investment. Whether you want to increase land profitability, improve soil health, or build a legacy for the future, agroforestry can help you get there.
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If you’re considering an agroforestry project, working with the right partners can make all the difference. Learn more about how Propagate supports farmers in planting and managing productive tree systems.
Interested in integrating trees on your farm? Let’s talk.
