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Gut Groß Zecher

Lat: 10.894625, Lng: 53.605205
Agropark Groß Zecher
Lindenallee 15, 23883 Groß Zecher, Schleswig-Holstein

The agroforestry system at the Groß Zecher estate was established in 2003 as part of the SAFE project. It consists of 7 rows of trees used for farming and 3 reference rows of trees (not used for agricultural purposes) covering a total area of 7 hectares. The site is located in the district of Ratzeburg on Lake Schalsee, south of Lübeck.

FINIS e.V. (Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, a member of the SAFE research consortium) has been working since 1998 to implement an agroforestry system in northern Germany. In 2001, the association approached the landowner in collaboration with INRA. The area in question is still classified as agricultural land; the areas planted with trees (totaling about 1 ha) are not included in the calculation of subsidies.

Planting distances are 28 m between tree rows (working width 26 m) and 3 m within the tree rows. Thinning to 6 and 9 m is planned.

Agroforestry system type:

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

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

15

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

20

Establishment (date):

Dec 31, 2002

Site specifics:

  • drought / low water holding capacity
  • low soil fertility
  • susceptibility to erosion

Farming sectors:

  • Arable farming
  • Fruit growing

Tree species:

  • Maple (Acer spp.)
  • Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
  • Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis / Torminalis glaberrima)
  • Robinia / Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
  • Service Tree (Cormus domestica)
  • Wild Pear (Pyrus communis subsp. communis)
  • Cherry / Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

(Intended) use of trees:

  • production stemwood
  • food production (e.g. production fruit/nut)

Main crop types in the agroforestry system:

  • rye

Motivation/rationale for establishing or maintaining agroforestry system:

  • establish ecological balance
  • Landscape / aesthetics