Hofkammer.Golf promotes orchard cultivation and biodiversity
Whether Brettacher, Boskop or Gewürzluiken: all these types of fruit trees can be found on Germany’s golf courses – for golfers, the view of the blooming meadow orchards is always a visual highlight, especially in spring. But it is not only in Germany that orchards play an important role in promoting biodiversity.
The special thing about orchards is the mosaic of different habitats: tall fruit trees alternate with species-rich meadows, complemented by dead wood, tree hollows, hedges and often small ponds. This variety of structures creates numerous ecological niches that can be used by a wide range of animal and plant species.
Up to 5,000 different animal and plant species live in a single orchard meadow, including many rare and endangered species such as the little owl, the redstart and various bat and insect species. The old fruit trees provide caves and dead wood as a habitat for birds, bats, insects and fungi. The flower-rich meadows are home to a variety of wild bees, butterflies and other pollinators, which in turn serve as a food source for birds and small mammals.
Numerous German golf courses work together with horticultural associations to promote local varieties in particular. Baden-Württemberg is considered one of Germany’s orchard centers, which is also noticeable on the golf courses.
At GC Schloss Monrepos, for example, only varieties from the Ludwigburg district are planted. A fruit tree nature trail has been set up on the Schönbach golf course, which is also used primarily for environmental education measures for young people and school classes. Certified organic apple juice has been produced at GC Domäne Niederreutin for several years. Other golf clubs have also started to produce high-proof fruit juice from the orchards.
The harvesting of orchard fruit in particular is a process that needs to be organized to prevent the fruit from going to waste under the trees. Whether as part of a campaign for all age groups or as part of a youth camp, community collection campaigns make sense in three ways: they promote togetherness in the club, contribute to positive image building when the products are sold and also ensure that the fruit does not rot.
INSERT_STEADY_NEWSLETTER_SIGNUP_HERE
