#10 Fertile woodchips and managing the tree line understory with Iain Tolhurst

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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