Fruits at Monville Farm

An orchard for biodiversity, really?

The orchard is an ideal solution for improving biodiversity on a site and represents a straightforward agroforestry project to implement in Belgium. On the one hand, high-stem trees offer food and shelter to numerous species, while also enabling, for example, bats to echolocate. They thus create a perfect ecological network with hedges by connecting different areas within the farm.

The combination of sheep farming and fruit production offers numerous advantages: trees provide essential shade for sheep during intense summer heat, reduce soil erosion, and locally temper the climate. For their part, the sheep enrich the soil with their droppings and trample vole tunnels, notorious enemies of orchards.

A Diversified Orchard

We plan to plant a diversified orchard on Marie’s plot, focusing on apple production. Indeed, at these altitudes, ensuring the successful growth of an orchard remains a challenge (although this may evolve with climate change). However, apple trees generally comprise hardier varieties that are more resistant to various diseases.

On November 18, 2025, we visited Marie to inspect the work that was masterfully carried out by Sébastien Pirotte.

Verification of the survival rate in 2026

The visit to the orchard at Marie Monville’s aimed to check the recovery of the plantings inspired by the Vergers Vivants label. The trees show good recovery, despite the sometimes demanding site conditions. The plot is managed by sheep grazing, an effective system: the sheep limit vole pressure, naturally fertilize the soil, and benefit from the shade of the trees in summer.

The orchard is part of a global ecological diversification approach:

• Perimeter hedges already established,
• Stone piles serving as refuges for small fauna,
• An orchard designed as a network of living habitats, consistent with the philosophy of Vergers Vivants.

These are therefore 48 high-stem trees over approximately 7,000 m², mainly apple trees adapted to the altitude, supplemented by a few pear trees and plum trees. These plantings reinforce the ecological infrastructures already present on the farm: hedges, tree alignments, a farm pond, and existing orchards.

The visit on May 7, 2026, confirms that the orchard is in good health, well protected from sheep, and that the peripheral developments are already contributing to structuring a rich habitat for local fauna.

Thanks to Cosmin, Elisabeth, Madeleine, Marie-Line and Serge!