The Agroforestry Research Trust

The Trust was set up in 1992 as a registered charity, to conduct research into all aspects of temperate agroforestry. Various academic and practical research projects have been undertaken since its formation, and results of research published by the Trust in a number of publications and in its own quarterly journal, Agroforestry News.  Courses are also run on aspects of our work.

The Trust has two patrons, who support its work: Herbert Giradet and James Lovelock.

In addition, support has been expressed by Sir David Attenborough, David Bellamy, Edward Goldsmith, Jonathon Porritt, and HRH Prince Charles.

The Trust Director, Martin Crawford, has planned and carried out all research to date and is also involved in the other aspects of the Trust's work. He has spent over 20 years in organic agriculture and horticulture, including working for the Yarner Trust in North Devon (teaching small-scale organic agriculture); growing food for a small hotel on the Isle of Iona; restoring the walled gardens of a manor house in mid-Devon; and running his own organic market garden and tree nursery in South Devon. He is also a director of 'Gaia', a Trust formed by James Lovelock to further his work.

Funding for the work of the A.R.T. comes from several sources. Self-generated income comes from sales of plants, seeds and publications, and also from course fees. In addition, some income comes from grant-making Trusts and in donations from individuals.

 

Current practical research projects

Companion tree experiment

This project is taking place on a 0.5 acre site provided by James Lovelock in West Devon. A long-term trial is being undertaken, using native trees, to determine the effects which nitrogen-fixing alder trees have on the growth, foliar mineral levels and other characteristics of interplanted trees. The site was planted out in 1992 and trees are still in the establishment phase.

Schumacher Forest Garden Project

This is the first of two projects taking place on the Dartington Estate in South Devon. The aim is to transform a 2.1 acre field into a demonstration forest garden comprising many different levels of trees, shrubs and ground covers, all coexisting and producing useful products such as fruits, nuts, medicinal products etc.

The forest garden should be largely self-sustaining, containing a very diverse number of species and thus very resilient to pests, diseases and the vagaries of the climate. It will provide a wide variety of fruits, nuts, edible leaves, medicinal plants, poles, fibres for tying etc.

                                                                                                       

The aim is for it to be self-fertilising by the use of specific plants which supply nutrients: nitrogen-fixing trees and shrubs (particularly Alders and Elaeagnus) which can utilise nitrogen directly from the air and make it available to other plants; and dynamic accumulators (particularly coltsfoot, comfrey, sorrel) - deep-rooting plants which tap phosphate and potash sources deep in the subsoil, raise them into the topsoil layer and make them available to other plants.

The site, once established, will be openly accessible to the public and educational material such as leaflets and descriptive cards will be available. Work started on the site in February 1994, with the setting up of a nursery to propagate most of the plants to be used on the site. New hedges and some of the main trees were also planted in 1994.

Planting out at the site will take approximately 10 years, with a total of some 35,000 plants eventually being used.

Around 100 different species of tree and shrub crops will be used to form the 'canopy' layer of tallest trees and shrubs. These range from common species like apples, pears and plums, to less common ones like azaroles, chinkapins, cornelian cherries, highbush cranberries, honey locusts, Japanese pepper trees, medlars, mulberries, persimmons, quinces, strawberry trees, and sweet chestnuts. An area of basketry willows has been planted in a wet area of the site.

Shrubs of varying sizes will occupy much of the space beneath trees, including the more common bush fruits (currants and berries) and others such as barberries, elaeagnus, Japanese bitter oranges, Oregon grapes, plum yews, and serviceberries. Many of the understorey shrubs will be nitrogen-fixers.

In the latter years of planting, the grass ground cover will gradually be replaced with other ground cover species of use. Main species used for ground cover will include: Bamboos, especially dwarf species; Carpeting species of Rubus (blackberry family), Gaultheria and Manzanitas; Herbs; Deep rooting perennials such as Comfrey.

Main Trial grounds

Fruiting walnut tree

A further 8 acres have been provided on the Dartington Estate from 1995 for the A.R.T. to use as main trial and experimental grounds. A variety of projects are designated for this area. Projects already under way include trials of:

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