Beauce department of France, August 2023
Yves, who works in organic and conservation farming, wants to continue shifting towards more sustainable cropping systems by planting trees on his plots. In order to tackle major soil loss and the decline in fertility, as well as enriching the surrounding biodiversity, he aims to plant 6,579 trees of over 50 different species.
The first wave of planting started in the winter of 2021/2022, with 2,257 trees, shrubs, and berries introduced over a total distance of almost four kilometres! In November 2022, technicians visited the plots to monitor the plantations and advise Yves on maintenance. The survival rate of these first plantations, after an initial summer of intense heat, is 95%! A very good result, thanks especially to the well-prepared soil, tree species adapted to the climate, and maintenance by Yves.
In February 2022, he began the second wave of planting, with 1,085 trees planted, including 298 high-growing trees (oak, cherry, maple, poplar, etc.), 155 medium-growing trees (wild cherry, hornbeam, arbutus, etc.), 577 shrubs (serviceberry, sea buckthorn, medlar, viburnum, etc.), and 55 fruit trees (chestnut, almond and apple).
For this wave of planting, Yves was helped by farmers from the ‘Terre Vivante’ Economic and Environmental Interest Group (GIEE), which he himself belongs to. This group brings together farmers committed to adopting more agro-ecology orientated methods in their area. Together, they enjoyed a day of sharing, discussion, and debate on agroforestry (trees mixed with crops or livestock), accompanied by a good lunch.
The plantations were monitored again in early August 2023. The mortality rate was less than 11%. The main causes of mortality proved to be attacks by game in the vicinity; hazelnut trees have suffered the most. Poplars, on the other hand, have developed particularly well on these plots!
The survival rate to date is well over 80%, which exceeds the objectives set by the project. Yves is delighted and hence motivated for the planting to come. He plans to plant the rest of the trees this winter (2023/2024) and possibly in 2024/2025, to reach the target of 6,579 permanent trees of more than 50 different species.
Yves wants to continue involving various stakeholders in this project and make his farm a model of agriculture based on agro-ecological values.
