262 poplars in Tournai

Tanguy is one of the pioneers in applying agroforestry schemes through the establishment of poplar rows. Here, two projects involving poplar rows on 2 agricultural plots in the Tournai region (Quartes and Quiévremont) have been launched. In total, 262 trees were planted within 5.27 hectares of rotating crops. 3 cultivars were selected according to the characteristics of the plots: Koster, Marke, and Dender.

What is agroforestry?

Agroforestry is one of the sustainable agriculture schemes of tomorrow. You simply have to imagine that in this scheme, the farmer combines trees planted on their plot, in perfect coexistence with their crops or livestock. Several species can be used. Here, Tanguy chose the poplar.

This offers several advantages:

Crop protection (heat, sun exposure, cold) but also as a windbreak effect. This is because the presence of trunks, branches, and leaves helps reduce wind speed, thereby limiting the consequences of increased evapotranspiration (drying wind).
Leaves are a carbon resource, which, when fallen to the ground (litter), decomposes and thus restores this crucial element for life. This matter must decompose, which brings life back to the soil (earthworms, fungi, bacteria, etc.).
In this specific case, the poplars were planted in strips rich in flowering plant species. By combining this specific diversity, Tanguy thus provides shelter and food for a diverse fauna, including crop auxiliaries, small mammals, pollinators, etc.

The carbon input, the presence of roots, etc., all these elements will play an important role in increasing the permeability of the plot’s soils (thus preventing soil erosion and flood phenomena). In short, the presence of these trees is important for the preservation of soil and water quality.

The poplar, an impressive carbon sink

In addition to carbon sequestration by the soil, the poplar significantly captures CO₂ in the form of carbon in its wood. This is possible due to the rapid growth of this species.

As part of this project, nearly 211 tons of CO₂ are sequestered over 20 years.

262 poplars in Tournai
Get inspired

Benefits to Humanity

A fast-growing species, poplar can be valorized 20 to 30 years after planting. The woody part can be useful for constructing our wood panels, eco-construction, our lightweight packaging, crates, pallets. But also for making paper, matches. Indeed! We have all held a camembert box in our hands at some point! The tree crowns can be transformed into wood chips, useful in biomass boilers, one of the forms of renewable energy. These various uses allow for carbon storage over varying durations!

The project in 2022

PlantC visited the site on August 18, 2022. The drought was severe, but the trees are indeed continuing to grow! See images below.

It is useful here to draw your attention to the fact that these trees were planted in open fields, according to an agroforestry scheme. It is therefore normal to observe crops on both sides of the trees!