Beauce department of France, December 2025
Initiated in 2021 with support from the French Agroforestry Association (AFAF), the project originally planned to establish 6,579 trees of various species on plots of arable land in order to foster biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and create natural infrastructure on land typically used for large-scale crop production.
The project, in this sparsely wooded region of north-central France, is pioneering — if not revolutionary! The Beauce, in fact, takes its name from the Gallic word belsa, meaning ‘open space’ or ‘cleared land’. Trees began to disappear from this fertile plain as early as the Neolithic period, making way for thriving subsistence crops. The expansion of cereal crops, land consolidation, and bigger farms have long since contributed to the removal of hedgerows and, more broadly, trees. Today, woodland covers only 2.3% of the Beauce, compared with 23% of the Centre region and 31% of France as a whole.
Given this context, the project’s objective – to demonstrate how trees firmly belong within arable farming systems – is certainly bold. Yet Yves, the farmer leading the initiative, has no doubts. Keen for his land to host biodiversity, he cares for his soil by maintaining a permanent cover between two crops while strictly avoiding deep ploughing. He also expects the trees — through their windbreak effect and rooting systems — to limit soil erosion, enrich organic matter, and improve water retention. Well-connected within local professional networks, he attempts, in his own way, to convince his peers – although right now this remains somewhat challenging. “If it amuses you,” he has been told.
Promising hedgerows already planted
Since the project launch, two winter planting campaigns in 2022 and 2023 have established 3,883 trees that have since survived and grown well. good survival rates and growth. Poplars, wild cherries, maples, and fruit trees are developing in the right direction, some already bearing their first fruit. Such a large number of trees planted on a single farm already makes this one of our largest agroforestry projects in France!
During a site visit to the farm in November 2024, with a member of our scientific committee and representatives from AFAF, we observed the early results, spoke with Yves, in particular discussing the next steps.
Challenges in maintaining the trees already planted
From the outset, the project stood out because it was ambitious and innovative for the region. It has involved a heavy workload for Yves — preparing the soil, planting, and then rigorously maintaining such a large number of trees. At the same time, it became clear he was struggling to generate sufficient income from his farm. So over recent months he taken on a second job as an employee.
In this context, Yves has spoken about his difficulties in carrying out all the maintenance tasks needed to ensure growth of the trees already planted. It therefore became quite clear during our discussions with him that planting the remaining trees would be unreasonable.
Adjusting objectives to ensure the project becomes a flagship model in the Beauce
To safeguard the work already completed, it was decided — in consultation with Yves and AFAF — to reorient the project objectives. Rather than embarking on new plantations without being able to guarantee their upkeep, we chose to concentrate our efforts and the remaining budget on strengthening those already in the ground.
The shared objective is now to ensure the long-term survival of 3,500 trees by the project end. By meeting this target the farm will become a reference for other farmers, demonstrating that a more balanced agricultural model is possible; that trees have a rightful place within arable farming systems.
The action plan, drawn up together with Yves and AFAF for 2025–2028, notably includes the involvement of students from the French School of Agroforestry —future agroforestry technicians — as well as teachers and pupils from Chartres Agricultural College. This educational programme will be hugely valuable in the region, serving to inspire and train farmers of the future in agroforestry practices. The core activities planned include:
- manual and mechanical maintenance of intra-plot tree rows and hedgerows: mowing grass strips, weeding, coppicing, formative pruning (especially for poplars and fruit trees), trimming, replacing protectors, renewing mulch ;
- targeted replanting to compensate for tree mortality, as well as extraplanting to create robust hedgerows and exemplary tree lines.
Thank you for your support and faith in us
Your support has made this ambitious, pioneering project in the Beauce possible and continues to help strengthen it day by day. We sincerely thank you for your commitment alongside the farmers engaged in the agroecological transition. We will keep you informed of the next steps and developments in the field.
Here’s looking forward to sharing the next chapter of this tree-planting adventure with you!
