2,000 years ago, the Romans brought fruit cultivation over to Germania. There are more than 1,000 known fruit types in Germany.
Traditional fruit cultivation
Fruit orchards represent a traditional form of fruit cultivation with tall-growing trees (trunk height of 1.80 metres). The trees stand individually, in rows or groups (scattered) and usually on poor soil (marginal yield). The areas are used extensively, usually without spray or chemical fertilizer. Scattered orchards often house various types and species of fruit, age and size classes (in Germany there are much more than 1,000 known apple and pear types). Cultivated fruit originally comes from Asia Fruit orchards are a comparatively recent addition to the agricultural landscape Cultivated fruit was only introduced in Germania 2,000 years ago by the Romans and originates from Asia. Fruit orchards play a significant landscaping role. It helps with:
Conserving water and preventing erosion effects with root penetration and year-round soil cover.
Remedial effects/beneficial effects (shade)
Habitat for many species
In addition, orchards are important for the environment. It provides a habitat for many endangered animal and plant species, and with its 5,000 to 6,000 species that live within, is one of the most biodiverse areas in our proximity. The fruit from fruit orchards feeds over 1,900 animal species, 90% of which diptera, beetles, hymenoptera, butterflies and true bugs. It provides a habitat for more than 60 different breeding bird species and food for an additional 15 bird species. Protect land for nature directlyThe European green woodpeckerOld tree typesBasic data: fruit orchard
