Seeing the good for the trees: Tree cover expansion and the notion of the ‘good farmer’

UK and European land-use policy increasingly promotes tree cover expansion on farmland, yet existing research has focused mainly on structural barriers rather than farmers’ motivations and socio-cultural values. This paper addresses this gap by applying the Bourdieusian concept of the ‘good farmer’ and drawing on in-depth ‘farmer journey’ interviews with farmers who have expanded tree cover. It examines how historical experiences shape decisions and how skills and capitals associated with good farmer status may initially conflict with, but can gradually align with, tree-related practices. The findings challenge assumptions that trees are antithetical to good farming and indicate potential shifts in the farming ‘field’ and its ‘rules of the game.’ The paper also highlights that effective policy could look beyond structural barriers and engage with farmers’ identities, reframing trees as an expression of skill and recognising the work involved in establishing and managing them, while supporting approaches that integrate trees alongside productive farming. More broadly, the paper advances the good farmer literature by demonstrating how symbols of good farming are context-specific and evolve within changing agri-environmental conditions, showing how existing markers of good farming can coexist with—and potentially be strengthened by—those linked to tree cover expansion. • Farmer decisions on tree expansion are shaped by long-term farm and family histories. • Intergenerational capitals enable experimentation and reduce perceived risks of trees. • Tree planting can demonstrate skilled practice through siting, care, and integration. • Trees can complement production, supporting livestock welfare and marginal land use. • Emerging environmental policies are reshaping what counts as “good farming.”