Shade tree
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As a shade tree is referred to trees that are planted to provide shade.
Here in this article almost only the use in organic coffee production is illustrated. This is a very limited representation of this concept. Thus one speaks of shade trees in shadow donate ornamental trees.
Should not confuse this with shade -loving trees that do not provide shade but grow best in the shade.
History in coffee plantations
Still about 100 years ago it was in the coffee-growing common practice to let shade the coffee plants by larger trees. Wild grown coffee trees can also be found especially among larger trees.
As part of the mechanization of the last century, however, more and more shade trees were cut because they were the machines in the way. There were more and more manual work is replaced by mechanization.
In recent times, however, it was found that under the shadow tends to have more income, which is why you now comes back to growing under shade.
Today's Agriculture
Coffee
In tropical agriculture shade trees are used to protect crops from too much sun exposure. To grow organic coffee plantations are created with mixed cultures of coffee plants and shade trees. When organic cultivation of coffee are preferred bananas, grapefruit and avocado trees, but also eucalyptus, pineapple and papaya used. Its tasks are the loosening of the soil, protection from erosion, sun and wind. Furthermore, they can compensate at higher altitudes, the differences between day and night in terms of temperature. Shade trees do next, together with soil mulch also contributions to weed control and plant health. Observed to be less need for fertilizer and less erosion than in the heavily industrialized, shadowless cultivation. In addition, shade trees reduce evaporation and thus the irrigation intensity, which is an essential factor in scarce resources. Because of the lower dew formation of the fungal pressure decreases. If the shade trees legumes, there is also almost no competition for nutrients.
In spite of all shade trees still standing in mechanized farming modern machines in the way. Therefore Brazilian breeders have bred coffees that thrive well without shade.
Cocoa
When cocoa trees shade trees are also prescribed in organic farming.
Tea cultivation
In tea growing shade trees play a role in each cultivation method.
Ecological aspects
Since ecology is playing an ever greater role in the cultivation of coffee, also increases the role of shade trees. They allow the natural habitats within agricultural land, which is not possible in the shadowless agricultural regions.
Because of the large contribution of shade trees for the conservation of species of songbirds, a certificate called Bird Friendly is awarded, but which is controversial because of its procurement policy. It is awarded to farmers with high shade tree density, but if this were not already present only but extra planted.
Another common name is Shade -grown coffee.
Examples
When shade trees are used, among others:
- Banana: The yes no trees are.
- Areca palm: A tree-shaped life form.
- Inga
- Silver Tree ( Leucadendron argenteum )
- Sopota