Partial view of the farm with the first hedge planted as part of the project ©A Tree for You
Cognac region, France, July 2024
Pierre is a winegrower and cognac producer in the Charente region of France. Very fond of trees, the winegrower wanted to try his hand at agroforestry. Planting 428 trees of around 10 different species will protect the vines from the effects of climate change, like excessive heat and late frosts, as well as enhancing biodiversity.
Pierre completed a first planting phase in February 2023, planting 50 fruit trees and shrubs. In January 2024, the A Tree for You team went out into the field to meet Pierre and a technician providing technical support for the project.
During the day’s work, the agroforestry technician trained the winegrower in the specific ‘cattail’ pruning of pear trees and half-stem pruning of apple trees. These pruning methods means Pierre will have fruit within easy reach in the long term, without disturbing the vines.
Fruit hedge planted amidst the vines ©A Tree for You
Pierre has also planted five fruit trees in a meadow area between the distillery and the vines. This plot of land collects run-off from the vines and channels it to a wet area at its bottom end, which is surrounded by poplars. Making the most of the water before it accumulates at the bottom of the plot makes perfect sense: an agroforestry system cannot ignore the challenges of short water cycles in the face of climate change.
In the first part of the plantation, 8 of the 50 trees died. They will be replaced during the next planting season over the winter of 2024-2025. The new tree plants will be individually protected by sleeves, recycling those installed on the double hedges planted earlier, which have since grown enough to withstand predation by rabbits and hares.
A total of 378 seedlings will be planted over the winter of 2024/2025 to reach the target of 428 trees in the middle of Pierre’s vines.
Catch up soon for more news from the field!
