Demonstrationsstandort Lerchenhof
The three strips, which run north-south, are 18 meters wide and each contain five rows of trees and shrubs. One row in each strip is planted with hardwood trees. Two of the strips also each contain a row with a diverse mix of 16 different fruit-bearing and biodiversity-enhancing trees and shrubs. The remaining rows are planted with poplars of four different varieties.
The system was established as a demonstration and research site as part of the “AGROfloW” project (funded by the BMEL). AGROfloW is funded by the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) under the “Sustainable Renewable Resources” funding program. The project partner is the Water Research Group at the Institute for Technology Transfer at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (FITT).
Video on the development of the system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qJaw3mPycA
https://agroflow.stoffstrom.org/2025/04/02/pflanzung-demonstrationsstandort-lerchenhof/



Agroforestry system type:
Silvoarable system (woody and arable crops incl. intercropped permanent crops)Size of agroforestry system area(s) (in ha):
8.29Percentage of area under trees/shrubs (in %):
30.98Establishment (date):
Mar 17, 2025Site specifics:
- drought / low water holding capacity
Farming sectors:
- Arable farming
Tree species:
- Poplar (Populus spp.)
- Maple (Acer spp.)
- Cherry / Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
- English Oak (Quercus robur)
- Small-leaved Linden (Tilia cordata)
- English / Persian Walnut (Juglans regia)
- Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis / Torminalis glaberrima)
- Whitebeam (Sorbus aria / Aria edulis)
- Service Tree (Cormus domestica)
- Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
(Intended) use of trees:
- production biofuel wood
- production stemwood
- environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)
Shrub species:
- Juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii)
- Snowy Mespilus (Amelanchier ovalis)
- Hazelnut (Corylus avellana)
- Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
- Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
- Two-winged Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)
- Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
- Goat Willow / Pussy Willow (Salix caprea)
- Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
- Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)
(Intended) use of the shrubs:
- food production (e.g. production fruit / nut)
- environmental benefits (incl. carbon/ windbreaks/ animal welfare/ biodiversity)
Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:
- establish ecological balance
- Erosion protection
- Contribution to climate protection / resilience