Tree dense, successional agroforestry in East Sussex

Working in partnership with Conscious Landscape, we began the implementation of a tree dense agroforestry system in late 2021. The project design is an innovation of successional agro-ecology developed in tropical ecosystems.

Planting includes a species rich mix of over 500 native broadleaf trees (including local ‘at risk’ species, such as the black poplar), interplanted with fruit and nut trees, which are alley interplanted with berries and other perennial vegetables.

The loss of trees in 2022’s hot, dry summer required replacement planting, which was completed in February 2023. New planting in this silvoarable system included sweet chestnut and walnut, as well as fruit trees.

This system will produce food, fuel and fibre, and will provide numerous ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity restoration, water regulation, and soil regeneration, which overall will increase the resilience of agricultural production and ecosystem health to future climate change and other environmental stresses.