Orchards are an important part of today's cultural landscape, but due to numerous construction measures, these important habitats are increasingly being destroyed. The protection and preservation of such biotopes is therefore of great importance. There are many ways to make a contribution to nature conservation.

Orchards are "threatened with extinction"

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Definition orchard
  3. Buying an orchard - tips
  4. Promotion of a meadow orchard
  5. Create an orchard
  6. Meadow orchard - care
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • The orchard habitat is of great importance in terms of nature conservation. It consists of different trees of different ages and offers numerous animals and plants optimal conditions. Characteristic are two floors with variable temperature and humidity conditions.
    • Meadow orchards are usually available at a reasonable price per square meter. However, the relationship between demand and supply determines the price. Those who are not interested in buying can think about leasing.
    • Financial support is available in many federal states. In order to receive the funding, special requirements such as minimum tree population or area size must be met.
    • Planning is important for creating a meadow orchard and provides the basis for claiming funding. The site-appropriate and mixed selection of fruit trees is essential. Maintenance also requires specialist knowledge.

    What is a meadow orchard?

    The meadow orchard is a traditional way of growing fruit. Standard fruit trees of different varieties and ages are characteristic of this form of cultivation. In contrast, modern fruit-growing crops are characterized by low-stemmed trees. The trees and shrubs benefit from sufficient space on a meadow orchard and have enough light for lush growth. Old regional varieties are typical for meadow orchards. Therefore, these habitats represent an important gene source for cultivated apples.

    What characterizes a meadow orchard:

    • Krone begins only at a height of 180 centimeters
    • No artificial fertilizers
    • no use of chemical-synthetic pesticides

    Orchard meadows from a nature conservation point of view

    Orchards on slopes prevent soil erosion

    An organic orchard offers numerous benefits. In the 18th century orchards were a common method in agriculture. They were laid out like a belt around settlements and acted as a natural windbreak. The trees are suitable for different types of landscape. On slopes, they protect the soil from erosion by wind and rain. They also reduce extreme temperature fluctuations. Grazing is sustainable here.

    orchard orchard
    construction Crown layer and lush herb layer dense crown layer
    harvest laboriously in several gears efficient at a unique ripening point
    economical unprofitable effectively
    Number of trees per hectare 60 to 120 3.000
    biodiversity high low

    The living spaces, which are occasionally called Bungert or Bitz, are also convincing from an aesthetic point of view. The different growth forms, variable flowering times and diverse colors of flowers and leaves fulfill a landscape design function.

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    Typical types of accompaniment

    The herbaceous layer is dominated by grasses. However, flowering meadow herbs also develop below the crown layer with extensive management. The species composition depends on the different site conditions. Biodiversity is favored by classic grazing with sheep or cattle. The sun trunks, which are characterized by different and natural growth forms, offer an important habitat for insects that love warmth. Birds that depend on dead wood find an ideal retreat here.

    Common herbs:

    • cruciferous: Meadowfoam
    • umbellifers: Wild carrot
    • lily family: Meadow Yellowstar
    • daisy family: yarrow, dandelion, mugwort
    • timeless growth: autumn crocus
    • mintsMission: Healing Ziest, Yellow Hollowfang
    • rose family: Great Burnet, Lady's Mantle

    What you need to know when buying a meadow orchard

    Orchards are also an ideal investment for small investors with a low budget. The annual turnover from the marketing of orchards exceeds 15 million euros. These habitats characterize part of the cultivated land in Germany. According to current estimates, there are more than 300,000 hectares of orchards in the country. However, more and more property owners can no longer afford the expense of harvesting and processing and are forced to sell. If you don't want to buy a property, you can think about a lease.

    Price development in recent years

    In recent years, the price per square meter for the purchase of an orchard has continued to fall, because many owners can no longer carry out the maintenance for various reasons. As a result, the plots of land become overgrown, which leads to increasing costs and increased effort in reclamation.

    In some regions, the price for meadow orchards with a total area of 1000 square meters is between 400 and 600 euros.

    While prices averaged two to three euros per square meter about seven years ago, the price range today is between 40 and 60 cents. However, this price does not apply nationwide, but depends on the region and location. Steep plots of land on a hillside are usually cheaper, but there are also clear differences between the individual federal states.

    Current price overview and orientations

    Meadow orchards are relatively cheap rentable usable areas

    The land use plan provides an important point of reference with regard to pricing. Orchards are agricultural land. In comparison, allotment gardens are designated weekend areas. Although these can also be converted into an ecological garden with orchards, they have a significantly higher square meter price. Many property owners offer the land for free for lease because they can no longer afford the effort themselves.

    Example square meter prices:

    • Rhineland-Palatinate: cheap meadow orchards outside designated weekend areas (less than 5 euros)
    • Baden-Wuerttemberg: higher demand causes the asking price to rise (between 5-15 euros)
    • Bavaria: Price is influenced by condition (about 5-22 euros)
    • Hesse: west of Frankfurt, the price per square meter corresponds to the price of farmland (about 7-9 euros)

    Opportunities for financial support

    In some federal states, interested parties can finance the meadow orchard with a subsidy. Area premiums or agri-environmental support programs are possible. The local nature conservation authority is your first point of contact with regard to funding.

    digression

    Mixed Fruit Prize Baden-Württemberg

    Every two years, the state government of Baden-Württemberg organizes a competition in which all farmers of meadow orchards can take part. The orchard award recognizes innovative projects for a nature-friendly and species-promoting use of grassland, which should serve as a model.

    Changing mottos always provide an incentive to participate. In 2022 the topic was: "Species-rich grassland - the colors of our meadow orchard". In addition to a project description, photo contributions are also required. The endowment for the competition is 3,000 euros, which is usually awarded to three prizewinners.

    North Rhine-Westphalia

    In NRW there is a comprehensive funding program that is subject to certain conditions. Anyone interested in financial support can find out more from the state’s Chamber of Agriculture. Care measures for fruit trees and supplementary planting are eligible. A combination with other contractual nature conservation packages within the extensive grassland use is possible.

    • Minimum area size of 0.15 ha
    • a minimum of ten trees on the site and a maximum of 55 trees per hectare
    • maximum hectare rate per year is 1,045 euros

    If old trees in need of rehabilitation have to be repaired or newly planted, there is the possibility of an investment subsidy. You can apply for free planting material for new planting or to supplement existing orchards from the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR for short).

    Hesse

    If the funding provisions are met, owners of meadow orchards in Hesse can apply for funding. These are paid for the replanting of high-stemmed fruit trees, whereby 55 euros per tree are possible in the year of planting. In the following commitment years, an amount of six euros per tree and year can be claimed. In addition, the maintenance of such habitats can be financed. Here, too, the subsidy is six euros per tree cared for in one year.

    Saxony

    In Saxony, the care and maintenance of a meadow orchard can also be funded

    The conversion of arable land into a meadow orchard as well as the maintenance and preservation of fruit trees can be funded. If you would like to plant fruit trees, there is the possibility of support from the Saxon State Ministry for Agriculture and the Environment. There is a fixed amount of 68 euros per tree. The prerequisite is that at least ten trees are planted on the orchard. You should plan an area of 80 to 100 square meters for each tree in order to be eligible for the financing.

    Support for woodland restoration:

    • with normal effort: 41 euros
    • with great effort: 75 euros
    • required technology or machines may be eligible

    Lower Saxony

    In cooperation with the Lower Saxony BINGO environmental foundation, the BUND regional association of Lower Saxony has launched a program to promote meadow orchards. Meadow orchards are a focal point of the financing, which amounts to between 10,000 and 30,000 euros.

    Bavaria

    Under certain conditions, farmers are entitled to subsidies in order to maintain their meadow orchards. The existing stock is subsidized with eight euros per tree and year. The upper limit is 100 trees per hectare. Strong-growing pome and stone fruit and nut trees that have or reach a minimum stem height of 1.40 meters and a crown diameter of three meters are eligible.

    Private meadow orchard: Funding in Bavaria

    • The creation of meadow orchards is eligible for funding from the LfL
    • up to 70 percent of the costs for measures taken by the LNPR can be reimbursed
    • Total expenses must be at least 2,500 euros

    How do I create an orchard?

    If you want to create a meadow orchard, some basic requirements must be met. There are specific guidelines for a meadow orchard to be accepted as such. You should expect about an hour of work per tree. In order for the young trees to be able to grow optimally, they should be protected from game browsing with wire mesh (€14.99).

    Important criteria:

    • at least ten standard trees
    • coordinated mixed inventory
    • Varieties tailored to the region

    site selection

    Unused long green areas usually offer ideal conditions for creating a garden with orchards. However, you should choose the location wisely to ensure ideal growth. A humus-rich and permeable loamy soil in a sunny and wind-protected position is ideal, preferably on a slope but not at the foot or in a hollow.

    plan planting

    Trees are ideally planted in the fall to give them the best chance of rooting until the next season. A planting plan not only brings structure to your project, but is also necessary for applying for funding. The varieties must be able to withstand the climate in your region. Therefore, the trees must be carefully selected. Nature conservation organizations such as NABU, LBV or BUND are the first points of contact when it comes to creating a meadow orchard.

    tips

    Include additional materials such as plant stakes, binding material, wire mesh for any windbreaks or pegs in your plan.

    Trees for meadow orchards

    Almost exclusively grafted standard trees are planted on a meadow orchard

    Only grafted standard trees with robust characteristics should be planted on a meadow orchard. For the creation of an organic orchard, special breeds have been developed that can adapt perfectly to the conditions. They have low demands on location and are particularly easy to care for.

    In contrast, wild forms usually place high demands on the soil and only thrive in an optimal climate. However, the choice of varieties is limited by the regional climate. There are more than 3,000 apple varieties in Central Europe, around 60 of which can be grown in Germany.

    Important criteria:

    • Varieties must be adapted to the respective location
    • Consult pomologists for proper tree stand selection
    • any compensatory measures require quality assurance by specialists

    planting distance

    The distance between the trees plays an important role, because only with the right planting distance can a species-rich habitat develop for as many species as possible. The closer the varieties are planted, the less light falls on the trunk area and the herb layer. This lack of light means that hardly any species settle here.

    Orientation values:

    • pome fruit: Apple and pear trees need a distance of twelve meters
    • stone fruit: Sour cherries and plums can be planted eight meters apart
    • wild fruit: Service tree, crab apple or service tree require a distance of eight meters

    If you want to encourage bees on your meadow orchard, a dense crown closure is undesirable. The insects feel more comfortable in open areas. Therefore, ensure a planting distance of 20 meters between the trees. If the meadow is on a road, the trees must be at least three meters away from the road.

    tips

    If you plant the trees in a row, you should vary the distances between the trees. In this way you ensure different light and humidity conditions and increase the attractiveness of the living space.

    What you need to know about care

    The care of the meadow orchard is of particular importance. Anyone who maintains this special form of cultivation has to invest a lot of time and a great deal of energy. In the past, nursing measures were taken for granted. Today, due to technological progress, these are considered unprofitable and come with a number of challenges. However, picking and shaking machines offer innovative and efficient ways of harvesting orchards.

    Professional pruning

    To prevent the trees from aging prematurely, they must be pruned regularly and professionally. An annual cut is usually sufficient. Depending on the species, this can take place in autumn or winter. For reasons of bird protection, tree pruning measures are not permitted during the breeding season between March and September.

    Tips for the right cut:

    • Thin out the top of the crown to promote shoots in the lower parts of the branch
    • Cut off the aged old branch just behind a fresh young shoot near the trunk
    • Avoid excessive pruning

    Mow the meadow orchard

    You can mow or mulch your meadow orchard, although mowing is gentler. This takes place twice a year. The ideal time to mow is early morning or late evening. Particularly large areas should be worked on in several stages so that the animals can retreat to the areas that are still high. Make sure there is a gap of three to four weeks between the individual mowing dates.

    frequently asked Questions

    Why are orchard stocks endangered?

    In order to create living space, many forest stands were cleared

    Between 1950 and 1970, large areas of public space were cleared to make room for new housing and commercial buildings. This advance was important for economic development. Although conservationists have been fighting to preserve these special habitats since the 1980s, they are still at risk today. The need for housing is still enormous. Fences, English lawns and conifers are increasingly shaping the cultivated land, which means that meadow orchards and their biodiversity are being pushed back further and further.

    Can I get involved in associations for the preservation of meadow orchards?

    There are numerous associations nationwide in which nature lovers and interested parties can get involved in the protection and preservation of these species-rich habitats. This possibility is an ideal alternative for interested people who do not have their own meadow orchard. The non-profit organizations offer meetings and hands-on activities not only for families with children but for anyone who would like to deal more intensively with the topic.

    A selection of meadow orchard associations

    • Swabian Orchard Paradise e.V. in Bad Urach
    • Streuobst e.V. in the district of Göttingen
    • Scattered meadows alliance Lower Saxony
    • Circle of Friends of Eberstadt orchards e.V.
    • Lüneburg meadow orchards e.V.

    Are there alternative projects to support orchards?

    The possibilities are nearly unlimited. By buying products from farmers who make fruit brandies or jams from the orchards they harvest themselves, you are making an important contribution to preserving these important habitats. You have a free choice and can look around for homemade groceries in a farmer's shop in your area, or buy products in various online shops. The pleasure manufacturer Sauerland offers, for example, the fruit brandy "Sauerländer Streuobstwiese". The orchard rescuers initiative in the Rhine-Neckar region offers further possibilities.

    What can you build on a meadow orchard?

    The building law on meadow orchards is regulated differently in the federal states. The basis is the respective state building code. Often tool sheds as well as fencing in orchards are subject to approval. However, different rules apply in a private garden than in an outdoor area. The local building authority or nature conservation authority will provide you with more information on this topic.

    Meadow orchard: what is allowed?

    As the owner of a meadow orchard, you not only have rights but also obligations. Since these meadows represent a special habitat, they are subject to nature conservation. So you can't do whatever you want on the site. Which regulations apply depends on the respective federal state. In the district of Esslingen, for example, parties with more than ten people or camping in the area require a permit.

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