Zweites Agroforstsystem auf dem Gladbacherhof

The Hessian State Domain Gladbacherhof has been managed according to Bioland guidelines since 1981 and has been a teaching and experimental farm of Justus Liebig University Giessen since 1990. In November 2021, 33 rows of trees (totaling about 2 km) were planted on a newly established grassland plot of approximately 8 hectares. Between the rows of trees are 23-meter-wide grassland strips, which are used as pasture for Gladbacherhof's dairy cows. The main tree species are (standard) apple trees of various varieties. In two-thirds of the tree rows, valuable timber trees (walnut, wild service tree, wild cherry, sweet chestnut, and service tree) are planted between two apple trees, which are to be pruned high so that their crowns begin above the apple trees. In one-third of the tree rows, in addition to the valuable timber trees, fast-growing tree species (poplars, black alders, and Paulownia) are planted, which accompany the valuable timber trees in the first years and are then removed. The total area is divided into 4 sections by hedges with planned forage leaf use. The project is scientifically monitored, including the study of soil development and biodiversity as well as yield parameters.