Farm forestry

10–30 m belts of 3–5 tree rows cut wind erosion 40–70% and raise soil moisture. Optimum is 3–5% of field area.

Core: oak, ash, maple — durable framework species. Companion: acacia (not in all zones), alder on wet soils. Shrubs — hazel, filbert.

Shelterbelts on farmland are state property by law; the farm only maintains them. Felling requires a permit — sanitary or reconstruction only.

A belt takes 3% of the field but adds +8–15% yield on the protected area (10x its width). Plus firewood, hazel nuts, forage acacia.

2–3 year seedlings, 3×1.5 m spacing, autumn or early spring. Care 3–5 years: cultivation, feeding, game protection.

Modern schemes: alley cropping (trees + crop between rows), silvopasture. In the EU — CAP subsidies for agroforestry.