Gers department of France, March 2021
The plantations established in 2018 as part of the A Tree for You planting programme are healthy and the farmer, Andy, is satisfied with their growth. The objectives were to improve the landscape/environmental setting of the plots and diversify the farming system by producing fruits and timber.
The trees have been planted to leave space for the farmer to cultivate ancient wheat grain. As for the other years, the farmer observed a low mortality rate. Some hazelnuts (five trees) and fruit trees (three trees) are dead and will be replaced this spring 2021.
Even if the trees are growing faster or slower depending on the types of soil, the plantations are developing and thriving. Horses have damaged some poplars, but without risking their survival. Rigorous monitoring in the summer (after leaves have grown) will determine if the trees need to be pruned and whether their development is satisfactory.
Tree monitoring is a regular and a long-term activity. Andy is now able to monitor and manage his trees himself. In Auch, the local town, his shop selling bread and cakes made with ancient wheat grain grown on the farm has managed to reopen during this uncertain health crisis.
We now wish Andy all the best with his wooded plots! Every step was taken right from the start to deliver quality results: best possible protection, adequate mulching, and species adapted to Andy’s soil and weather conditions all guaranteed the plantation would thrive. Now the hardest part of the project is over…
See you next year to see the progress of Andy’s planting!
