Pilotfläche Karlsruhe Stupferich des LTZ Augustenberg

The 3.2-hectare area owned by the state was transferred to the LTZ for use in 2008. A large part of the area previously consisted of an overaged, almost uncultivated, half-stemmed fruit tree population from a former community orchard. Two different agroforestry systems were established on the area in 2009:

Part of the area was cleared and a silvoarable agroforestry system was established, combining arable farming with valuable timber and short rotation strips. The valuable timber strips and poplars are managed by the LTZ. The arable farming is carried out by a farmer who also manages the neighboring area. This allows for a comparison of arable land with and without trees.

On another part of the land, an attempt is being made to convert a traditional AFS (orchard meadow) into a modern system by gradually replacing missing trees with wild and cider fruit trees for valuable timber production. In order to preserve the character of an orchard, mainly wild fruit trees such as service trees, wild pears, and wild service trees are planted, as well as some fast-growing orchard varieties. This area is grazed by sheep belonging to a local sheep farmer.

The planting of standard fruit trees of old regional varieties on sub-area C was abandoned due to the total loss of the trees caused by waterlogging. On another sub-area, the fruit trees, which were previously heavily overgrown with bushes and undergrowth, were cleared. In order to preserve the character of a mixed orchard, no new trees will be planted on this part of the area for the time being and the undergrowth will be mulched twice a year.