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Tree guilds (five circles)

 
pollinator
Posts: 875
Location: Kansas
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I'm working on developing five circles in a tree guild. First is the tree, of course. 2nd is protective if the tree requires it. Fruit trees are notorious for attracting bores and other insects, so in my tree guilds this section will be chives, garlic, tansy, whatever works better for that particular tree's pests. The 3rd circle is supportive, such as annuals that die and reseed, nutrient accumulators, nitrogen fixers, etc. 4th circle will be mixed, with more supportive plants mixed with food production. This one is at the eventual tree-line. The 5th circle is beyond the tree line and made up primarily of human crops and perennial herbs.

I don't have any pictures because I'm still setting up the first stages. I'm still growing trees from seed, so it'll be a year or two before I can start on those. The mature trees have a protective circle established. Any suggestions or ideas? Pictures of similar guilds?
 
pollinator
Posts: 3827
Location: Massachusetts, Zone:6/7 AHS:4 GDD:3000 Rainfall:48in even Soil:SandyLoam pH6 Flat
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With 12inches of rainfall you are just barely able to be water independent and not need irrigation. It will be alot of work.
Also don't CIRCLE 0
This circle is your root zone aka
1)nutrient+water stress that weaken your tree
2)fungi that produce defensive molecules that fight off pest
3)fungi that search for water and minerals for your plants in exchange for sugars.

Circle 0
Swale/Basin/etc
Inoculant for seeds and root zone and bare root
https://fungi.com/collections/mycogrow/products/mycogrow_soluble?variant=12125274472560
Mushroom Slurries
Worm Tea
Compost

Circle
Garlic Family = to suppress soil nematodes
Mint/Thyme Family
Carrot/Dill Family
Dandelion/Tansy Family
Daikon Radish (not the entire family or even species, just this specific cultivar)

Circle
Legume (During establishment this should be capturing 80% of the available sunlight/ground at food forest maturity 20%)
 
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