First high-trunk trees planted

On 23rd November 2020 we started planting the first high-trunk seedlings of traditional varieties for the purposes of establishing or supplementary planting of more than 20 ha of high-trunk orchards within the Gorička krajina project. Planting high-trunk trees will improve the habitat of the Scops owl, which nests in cavities of old fruit trees in the coming decades. 


All trees are protected against game with a fence (photo: G. Domanjko)

Interest for the allocation of seedlings was higher than expected, as as many as 151 beneficiaries applied for orchards. Landowners expressed interest for more than 1,800 seedlings, but unfortunately "only" 1,200 seedlings are available for the entire Natura 2000 site Goričko. 


17 traditional varieties are being planted (photo: G. Domanjko)

The planting will not be as fast as many would like, as it is necessary to visit each beneficiary in advance and collectively determine the number of seedlings and the exact location for planting according to the available land area. Prior to that we obtained a certificate of land use for each parcel of land and checked whether the beneficiaries might already be receiving agricultural subsidies for high-trunk meadow orchards to avoid the risk of double funding. Planting is carried out by our employees and external contractors for planting and excavation of planting pits. Landowners must be present as well.