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Fruit tree guilds make me wanna say oooh yah! When living with permaculture principles and techniques, your trees will never be alone. That’s because when you are out trying to find answers in the forest you will observe that a tree never stands alone. There are always native species nearby living in a symbiotic relationship amongst the canopy tree.
The main canopy tree has a natural eco system provided by Gaia. In permaculture, we take advice from the natural ecosystems and mimic them within our own growing systems. Along with companion planting, guilds are so beneficial to add to your garden. So let’s discuss, what a guild is, how a guild brings harmony to our fruit trees, and which plants we can consider using in our guilds.
Table of Contents
- What Are Fruit Tree Guilds
- How Big Should Fruit Tree Guilds Be
- What Are The Best Plants To Use
- Some Tree Guild Options for Specific Fruit Trees
- Apple Trees
- Peach Trees
- Cherry Tree
- Are Guilds Just For Fruit Trees
What Are Fruit Tree Guilds
Fruit tree guilds are a useful technique for creating a supportive, flourishing mini-ecosystem by planting mutually beneficial species around the fruit tree. Fruit tree guilds consist of multiple layers that are usually made up of climbing plants, shrubs, and edible plants.
We will be essentially underplanting our tree with specific plants that are organically compatible with the tree. The plants used will be functional as they can act as fertilizers, help keep the grass legs from trespassing, and bring in beneficial insects while keeping the bad ones out.
How Big Should Fruit Tree Guilds Be
Proper sized guilds are not a concern. Remember there are very few rules when you are out playing in the dirt. The size you use is all up to how much space you have available and how much of that space you decide to use. I have guilds that are only 20’x 20ft’ and some that are larger but, they can also be much smaller. I also have a big island that has 3-4 guilds that all kind of blend in together creating a food forest.
We can pay some attention to the plants we plug in and how tall and wide they will be at full maturity. That way we can space them properly. For example, a lavender plant is said to be spaced 12”-18” apart. I will either place them somewhere in between or I will stick to 12”. I like to plant as close as I can get away with. You can plan the area around your tree and then figure out where each plant will go. The more the merrier.
What Are The Best Plants To Use
When deciding which plants to use, it can be overwhelming because there are so many options. My philosophy is to keep it simple. I usually begin planting about 8 inches away from the tree and work outward. Rosemary is typically planted on either side of the tree in my guild, followed by lavender. I also add oregano, and thyme is another good choice because it can spread out and create a nice ground cover.
Strawberries also make for a great ground cover. Of course, no guild is complete without comfrey, echinacea, bee balm, and fever few. It’s great to include some nitrogen fixing bushes towards the outside like indigo. The comfrey is usually planted 3’ from the tree. I will plant a comfrey on each side and many times I will plant a few more. Let’s take a look at some other good options.
Some Tree Guild Options for Specific Fruit Trees
Apple Trees
- Chives are good at helping to keep insects with a bad motive away.
- Fennel, Coriander, and dill invite the good guy insects to the party.
- Peas, goumi berry, and sea buckthorn are nitrogen fixers.
- Comfrey is one of those all stars that earns a spot in every guild.
- Yarrow is a great nutrient accumulator.
- Calendula is a great medicinal.
Peach Trees
- Mint is a favorite of your pollinator friends.
- Chives work to keep the pests away.
- Yarrow is a medicinal and a nutrient accumulator.
- Chives help to suppress the grass.
- Borage is great for the pollinators.
Cherry Tree
- Bee balm makes the pollinators smile with a purpose.
- Yarrow is our nutrient accumulator.
- Wild violets provide a living mulch.
- Borage can be a great mulch.
- Daffodils help suppress the grass.
- Echinacea will be our medicine and the pollinators love to visit them for a snack.
Are Guilds Just For Fruit Trees
As you can see, many of the same plants can be used across the board to accompany various trees. When you learn about all the benefits and jobs of these plants they can all be grown in harmony with each other accompanying the central focused fruit tree. Fruit tree guilds don’t just stop with fruit trees. All trees will benefit with a guild.
Many of the plants listed are just a quick outline of plants to use. A lot of these plants are perennials, but you don’t have to hold yourself to that. You can also plant annual veggies, herbs, and pollinators. Many of these annuals will be harvested before the perennials have matured.
So get out in the dirt and be creative and free as you like. Remember that we are limited to the amount of freedoms available these days. So get out there and take advantage of the ones we still have.
Until next time friends,
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