The AFFOREST project has elaborated a guide for farmers wishing to afforest former agricultural land, providing recommendations on how to maximise the environmental benefits (one by one or all together). Their advice includes:

- If focusing on groundwater recharge, removing old pipes and ditches may compensate for the higher evapotranspiration by the trees. Also, choosing broadleaved species combined with intensive thinning will reduce water interception by the trees, improving water infiltration in the ground. Concerning other factors, nitrate leaching will be reduced and seed availability (biodiversity) increased if the new forest is located close to an old forest.

- If going for a whole set of benefits, the removal of ditches or pipes will also help decrease nitrate leaching and improve C sequestration; and in general deciduous species are preferred, rather than conifers. In the long-term, broadleaved forests tend to me more stable when faced with disturbances, and and they are better at providing continuous ground cover, which is an advantage for C storage. However, it is important to consider that in the short term this storage is lower due to the slower growth of the broadleaved trees.

- For long-term management, it is better to establish species-diverse stands that are able to regenerate naturally or act as shelter for other species. Such systems will also benefit nitrogen retention and water quality.