Fruit and Nut

These two pages tell you about an idea of the late Ándi Wilson RIP. Anyone who would like to use this idea of starting a ‘Nut Trialling Initiative’ may use the idea for a future project in Ireland, for instance The Irish Nut Growers Association.

The Future is Trees is a Fruit and Nut initiative that seeks to establish long-term sustainable woodland, land rehabilitation and orchard demonstration projects the purpose of which is to provide knowledge and inspiration to others.

Up to four distinct projects are envisaged. In each case, a long term lease is sought. The leasing body would be the Future is Trees Trust, an education-focused not-for-profit trust.

Nut Trialing Initiative

This project would be the first comprehensive trialling project of nut species to be undertaken in Ireland, and would be expected to make a major contribution to the knowledge base on nut growing. It would draw upon the experiences of previous nut trialling in other countries but would be specifically focused on determining which varieties are best for Irish conditions. The species planted would potentially include cobnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, pinenuts, araucaria, heartnuts, and hickory. Depending on the size of the site, up to one thousand nut trees would be planted. The project is intended solely for educational and research purposes. However, the nuts would be harvested and utilised.

Minimum area two hectares (five acres). The land must have deep soil and be free from waterlogging. As the project will involve considerable investment of time and resources, the minimum duration of lease considered would be 50 years. Anywhere in Ireland considered but preference would be given to a site west of the Shannon.

The ideal site would be slightly elevated (to avoid frost pockets) with a gentle to moderate slope towards the south or east (or possibly northeast). However all options will be considered.

Please contact the nursery for further information.

Land Rehabilitation Project

This project requires former agricultural land situated on a flood plain, preferably along the Shannon or another major waterway, suitable for a long term wetland rehabiliation project. In addition to the restoration of some of the site as a permanent wetland, the project would also examine the potential for nut and fruit growing, biomass production and carbon sequestration, with the emphasis on species with high tolerance of waterlogging.

The optimum size of holding would be four to twelve hectares (10-30 acres). However, a larger holding may be considered. The ideal site would have been used for agricultural purposes in the past, but possibly abandoned (or partially abandoned) owing to increased problems from seasonal flooding. Some of the land should be free from flooding. Vehicle access is preferable but not essential. Minimum length of lease 50 years (a lease of this duration is essential in order to ensure the long term continuity of the project). The nut and fruit aspect of the project would involve up to one thousand trees.

All options considered but preferred location would be Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Galway, or Longford.

Upland Research Project (and Nut Arboretum)

This project will research the effects of woodland shelter on micro-climate modification, natural regeneration and the potential for nut and fruit production (focusing on the hardiest species). The project would also assess agroforestry and the possibilities for carbon sequestration. The most important part of the project will be a nut arboretum that will contain a range of nut species suited to the location, and will involve up to five thousand nut trees (which would make it by far the largest collection of nut trees in Ireland). Soil conditions permitting, we hope to plant a minimum of five hundred Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle) trees. In time, this would become one of the biggest populations of mature Monkey Puzzle trees outside of their native range in Chile and Argentina.

The optimum size of holding would be six to twenty hectares (15-50 acres). However, a larger holding may be considered. The ideal site would contain a variety of different slopes, aspects and soil types, with most of the land situated between 150m and 350m above sea level. Exposed sites at lower elevations may also be considered.

Minimum length of lease 50 years (a lease of this duration is essential in order to ensure the long term continuity of the project). The project is seen as a very long term enterprise that with the appropriate security of tenure could continue evolving for at least 500 years and potentially for even longer. It will be the flagship Future is Trees project and is envisaged as a gift from the people of our time to those who come after us.

Preferred location would be Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo or Galway (Connemara) but all offers will be considered. The Trust would also consider land purchase instead of leasing.

Coastal Research Project (and Nut Arboretum)

This project will research the effects of woodland shelter on micro-climate modification, natural regeneration and the potential for nut and fruit production (focusing on the hardiest species) in harsh maritime environments.. An important part of the project will be a nut arboretum that will contain a range of nut species suited to the location, involving up to two thousand nut trees. Soil conditions permitting, we hope to plant a minimum of two hundred Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle) trees.

The optimum size of holding would be six to twenty hectares (15-50 acres). However, a larger holding may be considered. The site should include some sea frontage. The ideal site would contain a variety of different slopes, aspects and soil types. Small offshore islands will be considered.

Minimum length of lease 50 years (a lease of this duration is essential in order to ensure the long term continuity of the project). The project is seen as a very long term enterprise that with the appropriate security of tenure could continue evolving for at least 200 years.

Preferred location would be Mayo or Connemara.but other sites on the Atlantic seaboard would be considered. The Trust would also consider land purchase instead of leasing.

Long Term Benefits

The Future Is Trees initiative will present viable working models of sustainable agriculture. In addition to food production from tree crops, the three projects listed above will also provide energy (biomass), shelter (for livestock and people), building materials, increased biodiversity, employment and many opportunities for increasing the viability of rural communities in the post-oil era.

Incentives for Landowners

Hassle free, long-term source of income

The upland, coastal and wetland projects can utilise land that would be unusable for conventional modern farming, or which at best would only command a very small rent for rough grazing. All three projects offer a secure long term income that although modest would be unaffected by changes in agricultural subsidies or in state/EU agricultural policies. The more conventional nut trialling project would require land of a higher quality and the rent paid would reflect this. As in the case of the other projects, the annual rent would be unaffected by changes in agricultural subsidies or in state/EU agricultural policies.

Productive and sustainable use of land

Unlike most conventional agriculture, which is highly dependent on subsidies, imported feedstuffs, fossil fuels, artificial fertilisers or other agro-chemical products, and which in the long term cannot be considered sustainable, all projects outlined here require a minimum of external inputs, are very low environmental impact and can be maintained indefinitely into the future.

Responsible land-stewardship

Agricultural land is a resource essential to the survival of our species, yet it is under threat as never before. Worldwide, some 12 million hectares of agricultural land are lost each year, mainly the result of unsustainable farming practices. With global warming, the rate of loss can be expected to increase to levels that threaten world food supplies. It is vital that agricultural land is treated as a long term resource that needs to be nurtured, not exploited. And in order for that to happen, there needs to be responsible stewardship. With the four projects outlined here, we are offered a viable model of how this might be done.