Adding Support Species to Help Existing Fruit Trees

[@Christodophilus]

I happened on my solution, quite by accident. A declared weed species, Leucaena, showed up on my front verge. It just so happened to be at the highest point, on my land. Incrementally (over a decade) it started sprouting seedlings further down the slope. I kept the hedgerows which emerged with the last flood, as it showed where the most water was flowing - and potential for erosion. Trees are smart like that! I also kept the ones, which emerged near new plantings. With the intention of chop and drop, or shading in summer. They were sacrificial plants too, for the kangaroos, who would devour my garden in the dry. So I was really happy for the leucaena to show up! Point being, if you plant a fast growing, self-seeding support species, at the highest point of your property. Seedlings will emerge at the most ideal locations to help the existing trees. However, a word of caution. You must be prepared to prune and control the seedlings, or they will take over your established plants - eventually. Let the support species, pick their ideal location - most likely near existing trees or where there is moisture to exploit - then intervene where necessary.

[@PartTimePermies]

Stefan from Permaculture Orchard in Canada took an existing apple orchard and converted it into a permaculture system. A great example for those of us in a temperate climate.

[@franek_izerski]

kzbin.info/door/ufnDvlHF9NHzEL4c3ECZUA

[@beesplaining1882]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge on this platform for free.

[@craigdonald551]

Within our community in Malaysia wet tropics ..we have a 2.5 hectare durian orchard with young durian trees of different varieties. Musang king, ASFA50 and Udang Merah planted at 10m x 10m spacing. Within the estate there is tons of garden waste coming out from houses...leaves, branches grass cuttings, palm fronts etc. We have shredders and chippers to process and add this as covering as mulch. At the same time we are planting up a variety of support species, Moringa, Luceana , pigeon pea, pinto peanut, cow pea, lab lab bean, this for both chop and drop plus N fixing. Also interspersed with other fruit trees..mango, papaya, mangosteen, pomegranate, belimbing, kaffir lime, calamansi rambutan, petai etc etc. between the durians which will form the upper storey. Early days yet and we will see what flourishes and what doesn’t over time all the while trying to build the layers through height and time.

[@DiscoverPermaculture]

Sounds good.

[@nadietta9812]

Hello to Geoff and your gorgeous team! Do you know a project where they implemented water harvesting structures on steep mediterranean terraced land in seminarid mediterranean climate? I am worried about their stability, changing the dry soil towards more humid and slippery conditions. Thank you very much! Nadia

[@mitchellsmith4283]

Hi Jeff, I'm got 10acers of terraced olive and almond grove in spain, what suport spices would you recommend I put in between the existing trees ? I'm in the aragon region. Thank you Mitchell

[@natebecerra9847]

I’m looking for some advice anyone please help so my homestead is in south Florida in zone 9b and my lot is full of pines and saw palmetto I’ve bushogged all of the saw palmetto and now I have a thick root mat not sure what the best thing to do is anyone have any suggestions I’d greatly appreciate it

[@joecrablone286]

If I could only pick one, I'd use a weedy groundcover to shade the mulch and encourage fungi.

[@s.c7639]

I would like to know more about comfrey tea vs aerobic teas. Seems like anaerobic has been in use for centuries, but lately the new microbiologists tout aerobic teas. I am confused. My garden isnt a lab with electricity so i tend to go with stinky teas i have been making. Wondering what you know.

[@elainesommers9109]

Hi Geoff, could you say something about the xylella panic please. Thanks.

[@DiscoverPermaculture]

Bad bacteria like this need to be displaced but an over supply of beneficial bacteria which be achieved most rapidly with high quality oxygenated compost teas.

[@jacquescousteau4592]

I have a very small garden in Germany (a "Schrebergarten") we have old apple trees that are about 30 years old, do these techniques still work?

[@joecrablone286]

I've greatly improved production on some neglected 20 and 30 yr old fruit trees using deep mulch, groundcover, chop n drop and fungal slurries. Build it up slowly, incrementally to avoid shock, root rot and regression to root-stock genetics.

[@DiscoverPermaculture]

Yes definitely.

[@szasmckay6058]

Can I use gum tree mulch? Anyone know? I have clay will it affect ph? Any problems?

[@avedafaye1366]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@s.c7639]

Very nonspecific segment providing little info

[@DiscoverPermaculture]

Which specific info would you like?

[@Christodophilus]

In all fairness, Geoff was answering a question, with very little detail. It helps to know the climate, the existing trees and the topography, to get more specific information. He did answer the proposed question, which allows interested parties to do further research on the matter.