Field crops
Trees, an ally in protecting crops from climatic and biological hazards
Arable farming faces complex challenges, from adapting to the climate crisis to soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Reintroducing trees along the edges or within these agricultural lands positively influences crop growth by improving biological, climatic, and pedological conditions. This is why MyTree supports farmers in implementing agroforestry projects to enhance the sustainability of their farms.
Trees, protectors against the effects of the wind
Strong winds, especially in summer, cause crops to become very dehydrated, encouraging roots to develop underground to the detriment of above-ground growth. The most delicate crops can bow to the ground, complicating the harvesting process. The natural solution to this yield loss is to plant trees perpendicular to the wind, preferably on ridges. As physical barriers, trees create a ‘windbreak’ effect, helping crops to grow well and resist the vagaries of the weather more effectively.
50 to 75% of wind speed
is reduced in a zone 5 to 7 times the height of the trees ¹
1.5 tons per hectare of soil
are lost each year in France through water erosion ²
Trees against water and wind erosion
Trees planted perpendicular to the slope act as air filters through their branches and water barriers through their roots, slowing down water run-off and wind speed. These two phenomena are responsible for soil degradation by carrying away soil particles. This loss is irreversible on a human scale as it takes 100 to 400 years to create 1 centimeter of soil. Planting trees helps maintain this precious resource, rich in minerals and nutrients essential to crop growth.
Trees, oases of life for pollinators
Pollinators are the guarantors of rich biodiversity and food security. They are responsible for the reproduction of 85% of flowering plants such as sunflowers, rape, alfalfa and clover, as well as the majority of fruit and vegetables. Their services are so essential that they are estimated to be worth 153 billion euros a year on a global scale. Hence the importance of planting melliferous trees to provide refuge and essential resources (pollen and nectar) for their survival.
72% of French crops
intended for human consumption depend on pollinating insects ³
1 km of hedgerows
produces 10 tons of green wood ⁴
Trees, an inexhaustible resource of sustainable wood
Properly managed in space and time, pruned trees (not cut down!) provide an unlimited source of energy in the form of logs or wood chips. This is a sustainable, local, and inexpensive resource that can also be economically valuable to the farmer! Wood energy thus emerges as an alternative to fossil fuels that emit CO2.
