Agroforstsystem Peickwitz
In 2015, we began establishing our agroforestry system. Initially, we planted strips of fast-growing trees and shrubs—such as alder, poplar, willow, and black locust—on a 30-hectare field prone to erosion located west of our farm. A year later, we planted two additional agroforestry strips on a hay pasture to provide weather protection for our herd of suckler cows. In 2020, we expanded the agroforestry system by adding two more strips. These consist of various varieties of sweet chestnut, field maple, gray poplar, and tree hazel, as well as the shrub species copper rock pear and elderberry. For the coming years, we plan to establish an orchard meadow and plant fruit trees on former road right-of-way properties to restore a structurally rich landscape.
We offer farm tours and guided walks through our agroforestry system and are happy to share our experiences in the field of agroforestry. Group size is limited to a maximum of 40 people. Please schedule appointments by email or phone.
Agroforestry system type:
Agrosilvopastoral system (woody plants/ arable crops and livestock)Size of agroforestry system area(s) (in ha):
70Percentage of area under trees/shrubs (in %):
10Establishment (date):
Mar 1, 2015Site specifics:
- drought / low water holding capacity
- low soil fertility
- susceptibility to erosion
- species-poor site
- landscape with few structures / landscaope elements
Farming sectors:
- Arable farming
- Fodder production
- Livestock farming
- Energy production
- Wood production
Tree species:
- Maple (Acer spp.)
- Alder (Alnus spp.)
- Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
- Poplar (Populus spp.)
- Robinia / Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Wild Pear (Pyrus communis subsp. communis)
- Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna)
(Intended) use of trees:
- production biofuel wood
- production stemwood
- food production (e.g. production fruit/nut)
- environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)
- other material use
Shrub species:
- Juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii)
- Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
(Intended) use of the shrubs:
- food production (e.g. production fruit / nut)
- environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)
Livestock species in the agroforestry system:
- poultry
- cattle
Main crop types in the agroforestry system:
- oats
- lucerne
- corn / maize
- rye
- common wheat
Other agroforestry products:
- Eier
- Honig
Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:
- establish ecological balance
- Erosion protection
- Reduce nutrient input into surface waters
- Diversified product range
- Contribution to climate protection / resilience