Orchards in Czech Republic
17.12.2018, by Bénédicte Gaillard
Research: Zdeněk Kučera; upload: Bénédicte Gaillard. Entries in progress.
complex issue
18th century when planting of fruit trees at arable land took place
recently orchard meadows are gaining more attention –> establishment of new plots (i.e. the program “Landscaping orchard” of the 2nd pillar of the CAP, as introduced by the Czech government)
orchard meadows were originally to high degree arable lands with fruit trees (“polní sad”) and turned into meadows during the 19th and 20th century
current intensive low-stem orchards have been planted on former arable land
after the 2nd WW some of the orchard meadows were removed as result of agricultural intensification and turned into arable land –> reduction of biodiversity and diversity of varieties
recent development (promotion of intensive low-stem orchards) is connected with further intensification and mechanization of the agriculture
many extensive orchard meadows are still in use, but many are overgrown in secondary forests; others were also turned into single use arable land/meadows since the mid-20th century
decline of fruit production and of orchards
intensive orchards: in areas with high productive agriculture (lowlands with productive soils)
extensive orchards: on moderate slopes
legal connections: not a protected biotope, but it is a responsibility of the owner to care about the trees
technical know-how: there are more and more popular courses about tree cut, tree planting, grafting etc.
aesthetics: extensive orchard meadows are considered as aesthetic features in landscape; typical example are orchard meadows (also in urban areas, e.g. Malá Strana at the Petřín slope in Prague)
specific products: fruit juice (“mošt”), partly fruit jam (“marmeláda”), dried fruit
folklore: there are folk songs about fruit trees, more about pear trees (e.g. “Stojí hruška v širém poli” [a pear-tree stands in fields], “Dozrávajú hrušky ovesňačky” [pears are ripening].
Providing: fruit (often high quality, interesting tastes) and fruit products (juice, dried fruit)
Regulating: erosion control, carbon sequestration, habitat for insects and birds
Socio-cultural: recreation, aesthetics, cultural history (thousands of varieties)
Public support under CAP
the maintenance of permanent grassland, including traditional orchards where fruit trees are grown in low density on grassland…
“permanent crops“ means non-rotational crops other than permanent grassland and permanent pasture that occupy the land for five years or more and yield repeated harvests…
not listed in the Czech Nature Protection Act
evidence of productive orchards (agricultural land-use)
every tree is protected from harming and destroying
care for trees is a duty of the owners
remarkable trees
Ministerial Edict: at gardens (according to land cadastre) it is possible to cut any fruit tree, otherwise it is necessary to have permission if the perimeter of the tree is 80 cm or more
