Vienne department of France, August 2023
Guillaume, a farmer in the Vienne region of France, wants to plant hedges around his agroforestry plot to produce fodder and delimit the aromatic plant plot. Planting 605 trees aims to enhance biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and serve as an example to other farmers wishing to adopt this more sustainable model of agriculture.
The 605 trees were planted during the winter of 2020/2021. They have since been monitored and maintained several times. More than three years after planting, the hedges have developed well and the survival rate of the trees is over 90%.
| Species | Number of trees |
| Choke’s elm | 3 |
| Sessile oak | 6 |
| Cormier | 5 |
| Birch | 6 |
| Basswood (cordata) | 5 |
| Tauzin oak | 30 |
| Pubescent oak | 30 |
| Field maple | 30 |
| Warty birch | 5 |
| Common hornbeam | 5 |
| Hazel | 20 |
| Field elm | 5 |
| Wild pear | 20 |
| Wild plum | 15 |
| Plum myrobolan | 10 |
| Common willow | 10 |
| Red willow | 10 |
| Black elder | 5 |
| Basket weavers | 2 |
| Hawthorn | 2 |
| Borage | 45 |
| Blood dogwood | 45 |
| Dogwood, male | 10 |
| Dog Rose | 10 |
| Nerprun purgative | 57 |
| Buckthorn | 57 |
| Blackthorn | 57 |
| Common Privet | 57 |
| Viorne lantane | 15 |
| Ivy | 10 |
| Grafted walnut | 2 |
| Grafted chestnut | 2 |
| Grafted apple tree | 2 |
| Grafted pear tree | 2 |
| Grafted cherry | 2 |
| Quince | 2 |
| Fig tree | 2 |
| Common medlar | 2 |
| Frank almond | 2 |
| TOTAL | 605 |
The mortality rate is espeically down to damage from the many game animals, in the region. This phenomenon was particularly strong in 2022, due to the dry summer, which, by weakening their natural reservoir of food, drove the animals out of the woods to feed.
Ever mindful of the well-being of his farm and agroforestry plantation, the farmer set about finding a solution to keep game animals at bay. He decided to spray Trico, a natural product made from sheep fat. Sprayed once a year, it has so far proved effective. What’s more, it’s compatible with the organic farming methods used on Guillaume’s farm.
At the start of 2023, Guillaume took the time to renew the layers of mulch around his trees. He even found out how to pollard the tall trees damaged by game.
In conclusion, Guillaume is extremely satisfied with his agroforestry project. To date, the objectives have been achieved and the medium-term outlook looks promising. The farmer is closely monitoring his plantation and taking good care of it. The project fits in perfectly with his farming activity.
