permaculture

["RiverValley" <madhava@fidalgo.net>]

Marsha,

what does, " step them up the land" mean?  How far apart are the trees
placed? How big are the crevaces?  Are the seeds in contact with the soil?

thanks,
daniel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marsha Hanzi" <hanzibra@svn.com.br>
To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 10:15 AM
Subject: [permaculture] Implanting fields with trees...


> > I like to use low impact, low/no till methods.  Ideally I'd like to =
> > clear the and by hand and garden/farm around the little stumps =
> > maximizing practices that would make them decompose the fastest =
> > (mulching, spraying compost tea etc..). =20
> >
> > Basically I have no experience working with land with little trees.  Any
=
> > ideas advice about practices or tools would be most appreciated.
>
> When we implant new systems where there are "pioneer" trees ( actually the
> pioneers are much further back in the system), we cut them  into lengths
>  with a chainsaw), step them up the land, and stick seeds in the crevasses
> between them.  The plants grow marvellously in this microclimate,
everything
> from corn to beans to new trees (planted from seeds). A large trunk rots
in
> about two years, smaller trunks take less. The stumps will re-sprout which
> are then cut with a machete , for added organic material... With the
> cuttings, the trees retract their root systems, and have not been a
rpoblem
> for the new plants-- the whole field resprouts together, seeds and
stumps...
>
> Of course we are in the tropics here...But I dont see why chipping would
be
> necessary-- rotting trunks give great micro-climates, unless there is
> something in your climate  which makes this not functional (too slow
> decomposition etc...)
>
> Marsha Hanzi
> Instituto de Permacultura da Bahia
> www.permacultura-bahia.org.br
>
> > Rick you mentioned some interesting tools and methods I'm not familiar =
> > with would you be able to send me your phone number off list so I could
=
> > all and ask some questions?
> >
> > I'm also interested in learning about ways to make the rest of the land
=
> > productive and useful and hopefully income producing but have little =
> > expierence with forest/agroforesty  systems.  Any advice or books on =
> > this topic would be great.
> >
> > thanks,
> > daniel
> >
>
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