Last Saturday saw a group of people from different backgrounds, as part of different charitable organisations, get together in the name of nature conservation.

A group of enthusiastic participants, made up of beekeepers from Bee Together, natur&ëmwelt members and families from both the English-speaking section and Junglinster section participated in the fruit-tree pruning and conservation clearing activities. Even the weather rose to the occasion--the sun was shining all day! There were adults, youngsters and even a couple of dogs.

Starting at 10am Mikis Bastian and Gilles Weber got the show on the road with a presentation on arid grasslands. Mikis eagerly filled in with enlightening details on birdlife in the area, such as the shrike and green woodpecker and other animals that they hope to encourage back to the area as a consequence of continued conservation work. They announced that the area is now protected by both the EU Natura 2000 programme and a recently approved national environmental law on the protection of certain land areas. This particular land type is more appropriate for grazing than cultivation, making it an ideal conservation area.

The aim of this event was to prune a recently planted orchard of apple, cherry and plum trees on the lower south facing field as well as bringing a relatively older group of trees on the higher slopes back under control.

Pruning and clearing

Marc Thiel gave us an excellent introduction to pruning using the Oeschberg tree crown method, which is a scheme developed in Switzerland using a system of establishing a tree form based on: level 1: trunk, level 2: central trunk extension, level 3: 3-4 lead branches, level 4 many fruit branches and level 5: as many as possible fruit spurs. He demonstrated on the young trees for their first pruning. The group then progressed to the application to older trees. But it’s not always easy for beginners. It took nearly one hour to sort out one tree. Marc was extremely patient and helpful and encouraged us to try for ourselves.

For those not involved with pruning, the task at hand was to clear as many unwanted shrubs and trees as possible on the upper grasslands to allow them to return to their natural state and purpose--providing a habitat for wildlife. The higher slopes being drier in comparison to the lower and south facing land meant that once the frost melted, the ground was so muddy that it made movement quite difficult. But muddy boots permitting the group was able to get on with the job. With both adults and children working away, the sloping land was cleared using saws and loppers, shrub after tree was carefully cut down and thrown onto a couple of bonfires.

As the pruning activity involved less movement, the two groups gladly alternated between pruning and clearing in order to work up some body heat and keep warm near the bonfires.

After a productive morning, a more than welcome hot soup lunch was provided, contributing to the friendly ambience and togetherness which made for a very enjoyable and interesting day.

We look forward to the next event!

Laura Gouvras and Fredrika Uppman are volunteers with conservation group natur&ëmwelt’s English-speaking section. If you are interested in activities and events related to nature and the environment, sign up to its mailing list here.

If you are interested in activities and events related to bees and beekeeping, you can join Bee Together's mailing list here.