Stop 9. Agroforestry in Lower Bec field

Agroforestry brings trees into farming as a means to benefit the crops, the soil and the wider ecosystem.

It shelters the crops from extreme weather, like heat waves and strong winds by creating microclimates between the rows of trees.

It helps the ground absorb water in heavy rains because the roots create channels deep into the ground, and retain water in droughts by reducing evaporation in the shade of the leaves.

Our agroforestry trees are planted 1.5 meters from one another, in rows 23 metres apart (so we can still get the irrigation between them). We set it all up in 2015, planting a mixture of native trees: Apple, Cherry, Damson, Alder, Birch, Maple, Hornbeam, Whitebeam and Oak. The rows are oriented North/South, so that the crops in between get the maximum amount of light. The trees are coppiced every 7 years, to provide ramial woodchip for our compost, timber for projects round the farm, and to encourage natural regeneration and better carbon sequestration.

If you have not paid yet for this tour, £5/pers use our self-service till across the road, at Lin’s VegShed. Cash or cards accepted, just look for the Self-guided tour on the iPad screen.