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Agroforstsystem am Landesversuchsgut Köllitsch

Lat: 13.144319666531842, Lng: 51.50486849198816
Sächsisches Landesversuchsgut Köllitsch
Am Park 3, 04886 Arzberg OT Köllitsch, Sachsen

The agroforestry system at the Saxon State Experimental Station in Köllitsch consists of two distinct agroforestry areas.

There is a timber production area to the northeast (0.6 ha) dedicated to timber production, featuring tree species such as maple, sweet chestnut, walnut, linden, hazel, and wild cherry. In some areas, bee-friendly shrub species (elderberry, cornelian cherry, and dogwood) have been planted among the timber trees to support their growth and serve as a bee pasture.

In addition, an energy wood area with poplar strips (5–6 rows on the eastern side, thinning out toward the south) lines the western and eastern edges of the field. Every 50 meters, a new poplar variety adorns the energy wood area, allowing additional poplar varieties to be tested in the dry region of Saxony.

The energy wood area covers 3.14 hectares.

Agroforestry system type:

Silvoarable system (woody and arable crops incl. intercropped permanent crops)

Size of agroforestry system area(s) (in ha):

12.3

Percentage of area under trees/shrubs (in %):

28.4

Establishment (date):

Apr 21, 2025

Site specifics:

  • drought / low water holding capacity

Farming sectors:

  • Arable farming
  • Fodder production
  • Livestock farming
  • Energy production

Tree species:

  • Maple (Acer spp.)
  • Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
  • Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna)
  • Cherry / Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
  • English / Persian Walnut (Juglans regia)
  • Lime / Linden (Tilia spp.)
  • Poplar (Populus spp.)

(Intended) use of trees:

  • production biofuel wood
  • production stemwood

Shrub species:

  • Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
  • Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
  • Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

(Intended) use of the shrubs:

  • environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)

Main crop types in the agroforestry system:

  • barley
  • oats
  • corn / maize
  • rapeseed
  • common wheat

Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:

  • Erosion protection
  • Contribution to climate protection / resilience