Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy andBirth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Rememberyour roots
Enjoy the view!Advice From A Tree
-Ilan Shamir
I have decided to break week 4 up into two separate posts since each day we covered very specific subjects. Day one; Trees, Day two; Soil. And although they are very interconnected, each one has so much information regarding them, it would be the beginning of a novel to conclude them together.
Did you miss the other weeks?
1-Ethics, 2-Patterns, 3-Microclimates, 4b-Soil, 5a-Humid Cool-Cold, 5b-Drylands, 6-Earthworks
The Permaculture Tree Section
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Affiliate links do not change prices of items, it only means I gain a percentage to help pay for the coffees that keep me awake writing these blog posts!
So what do trees do?
Obviously; many, many things. But let’s break it down…
- They are buffers. Trees buffer wind, heat, light, water, sound. They are important buffers during extreme events such as the buffering effects mangroves have against heavy storms.
- They capture and disperse energy and resources. Trees gather and capture energy through photosynthesis. They disperse sugars to feed the bacteria and fungi in the soil. They produce oxygen. They gather and move water. They produce organic matter. They feed animals and insects etc. etc.
- They regulate moisture, light and wind.
- They provide habitat for insects, birds and other animals.
Trees logically placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% or more
The seven layers of the forest –
permaculture tree section
There are (on average) seven layers in a forest. These layers exist naturally as different plants adapt to finding their place among others. It is an efficient use of space and can be learned from to apply to our own designs.
There are different versions of this layer system, and some consider up to 9 layers. Today I will cover the 7 that we focused on in class.
- Fungal layer
Fungi living amongst the roots and beneath the soil. These organisms help decompose organic matter, keep the soil healthy, and disperse nutrients. - Ground cover layer
Commonly shade tolerant plants who provide a lot of organic matter and help regulate the temperature of the soil. These may include productive plants such as pumpkins. - Vine layer
Vines and climbing plants use other layers to increase their chances of sun exposure. These are key additions when planning a design to increase productivity.
*TIP: Using food-productive vine plants with non-productive nitrogen-fixers can be a useful design technique. - Herbaceous layer
Another layer that produces huge amounts of organic matter. This layer often contains plants used for medicinal and culinary purposes. - Shrub layer
This layer can contain various productive plants such as; fruiting bushes, nut bushes, medicinal plants, flowering shrubs, etc. - Sub-canopy/Small tree layer
On average between 10-30 feet in height. This layer will normally be used for fruit trees. - Canopy layer
This layer is normally higher than 30 feet and can be used for many different purposes. Productive purposes such as certain fruit and nut-bearing trees. Function purposes such as wind buffers or shade producers. Support purposes such as nitrogen fixers.
When a tree falls in a forest, many different plants begin to grow to fill that void. Nature is constantly filling in voids. So when there is a void in your garden or food forest, nature will attempt to respond, commonly with something that grows quickly, like weeds. So don’t leave those voids, use them productively.
Coppice and Pollard techniques –
permaculture tree section
Coppicing is a pruning technique that allows regrowth after cutting. The technique dates back thousands of years. Coppicing a deciduous tree when it is dormant will allow new shoots to grow in the spring. Coppicing refers to when the cut is done at ground level.
Why would this be useful?
- It provides a sustainable supply of wood that would continuously grow.
- It can be used for firewood (excellent for rocket-stoves), fencing, crafts, etc.
- Keeps the tree healthy by keeping it in a juvenile state.
Pollarding is a similar pruning technique however it happens at around 8-10 feet. This technique may be used to keep new shoots from being eaten by grazing animals. (more so used in pasture conditions)
How to use the permaculture tree section in design?
permaculture tree section
- Production: Obviously, there are many trees that we can harvest for fruits and nuts and other edibles. We can also harvest trees for timber and materials for crafting. Some trees can be used to make essential oils, syrups, sugars, alcohol, etc.
- Buffers & Barriers: Using trees to create sun-traps, wind buffers, noise buffers, edible or aesthetic fences, shade, and protection from rain are some examples.
- Habitat: You can use trees to provide a habitat for certain wildlife you may want to increase the diversity of your property. Attracting birds with trees will help reduce pest problems. Other predator-prey examples can be found for why creating suitable habitats for wildlife is important.
- Supporters: Some trees are amazing nitrogen fixers, others create large amounts of organic matter to feed the soil, and some are great pollinators.
Permaculture Tree Section
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