#10 Fertile woodchips and managing the tree line understory with Iain Tolhurst
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast · Dimitri Tsitos & Etienne Compagnon
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Show Notes
In this episode, Iain Tolhurst explains why and how he integrated trees in his vegetable operation. It's interesting to get a clear image of what his tree layout looks like, and what this means in term on infrastructure and management. He has tested planting perennial crops in the tree understory, a tempting idea that encounters some practical and commercial limitations. We cover some issues such as if we should be worried of weeds growing in the tree line or if root and light competition are a challenge for him. We then explore another interesting aspect of his farm : how he uses woodchips to fulfil 100% of his fertility needs and how much of his land he would need to dedicate to tree cover if he were to produce all his inputs onsite. As a little bonus, we indulge in a little off topic but fascinating conversation on organic matter.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:02.22 Overview of the farm
00:07:31 Why agroforestry
00:11:43 Which trees did he chose?
00:13:40 Funding & cost
00:16:06 Layout and spacings of trees
00:21:08 Experimenting with understory planting
00:26:20 Impact of trees on vegetable production
00:33:04 Time for managing the trees
00:37:55 Are weeds in the tree line a problem?
00:44:52 Is it worth planting the understory?
00:49:40 Composting woodchips
00:54:50 Applying rameal chipped wood on soil surface
01:01:29 Are wood chips economically interesting as an input?
01:05:22 How much tree cover to be autonomous in inputs?
01:07:05 Effects of excess of organic matter
01:19:00 Compost recipe and which trees species to favour as input?
01:22:52 Machinery to woodchip and compost
01:25:53 Advice for vegetable grower wishing to integrate trees
• RESOURCES
https://www.tolhurstorganic.co.uk/
Managing_the_tree_understorey_for_food_and_biodiversity.pdf
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