Plan, finance, invest and maintain

the essentials in brief

• The habitat Orchard meadow has an important meaning with regard to nature conservation. It is made up of different trees of different ages and offers optimal conditions for numerous animals and plants. It is characterized by two floors with variable temperature and humidity conditions.
• Orchards are mostly available at a reasonable price per square meter. However, the relationship between supply and demand determines the price. If you are not interested in buying, you can think about a lease.
• In many federal states there is financial support. In order to receive the funding, special requirements such as minimum tree population or size must be met.
• Planning is important for creating a meadow orchard and provides the basis for claiming subsidies. A mixed selection of fruit trees appropriate to the location is essential. Nursing also requires specialist knowledge.

What is an orchard meadow?

The orchard meadow is a traditional way of growing fruit. Formative tall fruit trees of various types and ages are suitable for this type of cultivation. In contrast, modern fruit-growing cultures are characterized by low-stemmed trees. The trees benefit from sufficient space in an orchard meadow and have enough light for lush growth. Old regional varieties are typical for orchards. Therefore, these habitats are an important source of genes for cultivated apples.

This is what distinguishes a meadow orchard:

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

Orchards from a nature conservation point of view

Orchards on slopes prevent soil erosion

An organic orchard offers numerous advantages. In the 18th In the 19th century, orchards were a common method in agriculture. They were belt-shaped around settlements and acted as natural wind protection. 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. Pasture farming is sustainable here.

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 color schemes of flowers and leaves fulfill a landscape design function.

Typical types of accompaniment

The herb layer is dominated by grasses. But even flowering meadow herbs develop with extensive cultivation below the canopy. The species composition depends on the different site conditions. Biodiversity is favored by classic grazing with sheep or cattle. The sunny trunks, which are characterized by different and natural growth forms, offer an important habitat for heat-loving insects. Birds that rely on dead wood will find an ideal retreat here.

Common herbs:

• Cruciferous vegetables: Foamwort
• Umbelliferae: Wild carrot
• Lily plants: Meadow yellow star
• Composites: Yarrow, dandelion, mugwort
• Timeless growth: Autumn crocus
• Mint family: Heilziest, yellow hollow tooth
• Rose plants: Large Wiesenknopf, common lady's mantle

What you need to know about buying an orchard meadow

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 shape part of the cultivated land in Germany. Current estimates suggest that the country has more than 300,000 hectares of traditional fruit trees. But more and more property owners can no longer afford the effort for harvesting and processing and are forced to sell. If you don't want to buy a plot of land, you can think about a lease.

Price development in recent years

In recent years, the square meter prices for buying a meadow orchard have continued to fall, because many owners can no longer take care of it for various reasons. As a result, the plots of land are becoming overgrown, which leads to rising costs and increased reclamation effort.

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 on a slope are usually cheaper, but there are also clear differences between the individual federal states.

Current price overview and orientations

Orchards are relatively cheap rentable areas

The zoning plan provides an important point of reference with regard to the setting of prices. Orchards are agricultural areas. In comparison, allotments are designated weekend areas. Although these can also be converted into an ecological garden with orchards, they have a significantly higher price per square meter. Many landowners offer the land for free because they can no longer afford the expense themselves.

Exemplary square meter prices:

• Rhineland-Palatinate: inexpensive orchards outside designated weekend areas (less than 5 euros)
• Baden-Wuerttemberg: higher demand causes the offer price to rise (between 5-15 euros)
• Bavaria: Price is influenced by condition (approx. 5-22 euros)
• Hesse: West of Frankfurt, the price per square meter corresponds to the price of land for arable land (around 7-9 euros)

Opportunities for financial support

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

Digression

Fruit Prize Baden-Wuerttemberg

North Rhine-Westphalia

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

• Minimum area of ​​0.15 ha
• at least ten trees on the area and a maximum of 55 trees per hectare
• the maximum hectare rate per year is 1,045 euros

If old trees in need of renovation have to be repaired or newly created, there is the option of investment funding. The Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR for short) can request free planting material for new planting or to supplement existing orchards.

Hesse

If the grant requirements are met, owners of orchards in Hessen can apply for funding. These are paid for the replanting of tall 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 per year can be claimed. In addition, the maintenance of such habitats is financially viable. Here, too, the funding amount 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 care and maintenance 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 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 funding.

Support with wood restoration:

• with normal effort: 41 euros
• with high expenditure: 75 euros
• Required technology or machines may be eligible

Lower Saxony

The BUND regional association of Lower Saxony has launched a program to promote orchards in cooperation with the Lower Saxony BINGO Environmental Foundation. Orchards represent a focus 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 orchards. The existing stock is funded with eight euros per tree per year. The upper limit is 100 trees per hectare. Vigorous pome and stone fruit as well as nut trees with a minimum trunk height of 1.40 meters and a crown diameter of three meters are eligible.

Private orchard: Funding in Bavaria

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

How do I create a meadow orchard?

If you are a Create a meadow with orchards some basic requirements must be met. There are special guidelines so that a meadow orchard is accepted as such. You should calculate about an hour's workload per tree. So that the young trees can grow optimally, they should be equipped with a Wire mesh(€ 17.32 at Amazon *) are protected from being bitten by game.

Important criteria:

• at least ten tall trees
• coordinated mixed inventory
• Variety selection tailored to the region

Choice of location

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. Optimal is a humus-rich and well drained one Clay soil in a sunny and sheltered location, preferably on a slope but not at the foot or in a hollow.

Plan planting

Trees are ideally planted in autumn so that they can take root optimally by the next season. A planting plan not only brings structure to your project, it 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 point of contact when it comes to creating a meadow orchard.

Trees for orchards

In an orchard meadow, grafted high trunks are almost exclusively planted

Only grafted tall trunks with robust properties should be planted on a meadow orchard. For the creation of an ecological orchard, special cultivars have been developed that can be perfectly adapted to the conditions. They have low demands on the 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 in Central Europe Apple varieties, of which around 60 can be grown in Germany.

Important criteria:

• Varieties must be adapted to the respective location
• Consult pomologists for the correct selection of trees
• Any compensatory measures require quality assurance by specialists

Plant spacing

The distance between the trees plays an important role, because a species-rich habitat for as many species as possible can only develop with the right distance between the plants. The closer the varieties are set, the less light falls on the trunk area and in the herbaceous 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 get by with a planting distance of eight meters
• Wild fruit: Service tree, crab apple or service tree require a distance of eight meters

If you want to encourage bees on your orchard meadow, a dense canopy is undesirable. The insects feel more comfortable in open areas. You should therefore ensure that the trees are planted at a distance of 20 meters. If the meadow is on a street, the trees must be at least three meters away from the road.

What you need to know about care

the Care of the orchard is of particular importance. Those who maintain this special form of management have to invest a lot of time and a high level of energy. In the past, maintenance measures were taken for granted. Today these are considered unprofitable due to technical advances and are associated with some challenges. However, reading and shaking machines offer innovative and efficient options for harvesting orchards.

Professional pruning

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

Notes on the correct cut:

• Thinning out the crown in the upper area to promote shoots in the lower branches
• Cut off aged old branches just behind a fresh young shoot near the trunk
• Avoid excessive pruning

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

frequently asked Questions

Why are orchards at risk?

In order to create living space, many forests were cleared

Between 1950 and 1970, large-scale clearings were carried out in public spaces to make room for new living space and commercial buildings. This progress was important for economic development. Although conservationists have been fighting for the preservation of these special habitats since the 1980s, they are still at great risk today. The need for living space is still enormous. Fences, English lawns and conifers are increasingly shaping the cultivated land, which means that orchards and their biodiversity are increasingly being pushed back.

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

There are numerous associations nationwide in which nature lovers and those interested can work to protect and preserve these species-rich habitats. This option is an ideal alternative for interested people who do not have their own orchard. The non-profit organizations offer meetings and hands-on activities not only for families with children but for everyone who would like to deal more intensively with the topic.

A selection of orchards associations

• Swabian orchards paradise e. V. in Bad Urach
• Orchards e. V. in the district of Göttingen
• Litter orchards alliance of Lower Saxony
• Freundeskreis Eberstädter Streuobstwiesen e. V.
• Lüneburger Streuobstwiesen 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 their self-harvested orchards, you are making an important contribution to the preservation of these important habitats. You have the free choice and can look around for homemade groceries in a farm shop in your area, or buy products in various internet shops. The Genussmanufaktur Sauerland, for example, offers the fruit brandy “Sauerländer Streuobstwiese”. The fruit meadow rescuer initiative in the Rhine-Neckar region offers further possibilities.

What can you build on an orchard meadow?

The right to build on orchards is regulated differently in the federal states. The basis is the respective state building regulations. Often times tool sheds are just like that Fencing in the orchard subject to approval. In the private garden, however, different regulations apply than on an outdoor area. The local building authority or the nature conservation authority can provide you with further information on this topic.

Orchard meadow: 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. You can therefore not do what you want on the surface. Which regulations apply depends on the respective federal state. In the Esslingen district, for example, parties with more than ten people or camping on the area require approval.