This year, for the second time in a row, one of our fall Workcamps supported Naturpark Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald (Nature Park Swabian-Franconian Forest) in harvesting the last fruit from an orchard with over 100 different tree species. Working in agriculture is a great task for a group of international volunteers who are motivated and interested in such project – but why do we engage ourselves on meadow orchards? How is it relevant for nature conservation or climate protection?
Apples, pears, sweet cherries, and plums amid grasses and wild flowers: Meadow orchards have been part of Germany’s (agri)cultural landscape for centuries and served as fruit plantations and hay resourcing
What actually defines a meadow orchard? The German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) explains,
“A meadow orchard is an accumulation of several fruit tree species of different ages. The trees stand so far apart from each other that each gets enough room and light to grow. Most often the trees are high stem fruit trees whose crown only begins expanding in about 1.8 meters. Meadow orchards are void of chemical synthetic pesticides and artificial fertilizer” (BUND Landesverband Schleswig-Holstein).
Usually it is a place where old varieties of fruit are nurtured. They are not as profitable as newer varieties but therefore far more resistant against diseases and parasites.
Meadow Orchards are among the most biodiverse habitats in central Europe
A meadow orchard is not a monoculture but rather a haven for biodiversity that inhabits many different species of plants and of animals who benefit from them. Thus, for species protection meadow orchards play a significant role. The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union calls such meadows the “hot spots of biodiversity in western and central Europe” (NABU, 2022). Over 5’000 animal, plant, and fungi species can be found on meadow orchards that grow over 6’000 varieties of fruit. Besides a diversity of insects, spiders, and rare plants, there live small owls (Athene noctua), wrynecks (Jynx torquilla), collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), and green woodpeckers (Picus viridis).
This is why we join the protection of meadow orchards with our Workcamps
In March 2022, meadow orchards were declared as nationally protected habitats in Germany (Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung 06/2022), however, they cannot exist without human support: Only by deliberate planting of the trees such a place can develop and only by competent and constant care it can sustain. Old varieties of fruit are manmade, an (agri)cultural heritage bred and developed over centuries, and as such dependent upon regular care.
So, what exactly needs to be done?
Trimming the trees: By ridding the trees of their heavy or rotten ballast their lifespan can be increased, as the trees can then concentrate on their healthy parts and become safe homes for animals.
Mowing the meadow: Two to three times a year the meadow has to be freed from bushes to make room for the diversity of plants and fungi. Not being mowed, the biotope would disappear under shrubs like the blackberry or blackthorn in just a few years.
This work can be done by hand in many cases and taught quite quickly to newcomers. That is why it makes a suitable project for international volunteers who are motivated to support the Nature Park of the Swabian-Franconian Forest. If you feel like this would be a great experience for you, you can register here for this project.