On December 10, an orchard accessible to all must take root on this "piece of land of 1,200 m2" which is "useless" to him.
Provided that this date agrees with nature, because the too spring-like autumn temperatures could upset the calendar.
This craftsman is carrying out this planting project "for ecological reasons": "If we have no more vegetation, we are really in trouble", estimates José Blaud, 45, resident of Chambon (Charente-Maritime), a town in the plain from Aunis.
Nicknamed "la petite Beauce", this vast agricultural area between La Rochelle and Rochefort is not renowned for its biodiversity.
Recently singled out due to abnormally high levels of pesticides, it essentially consists of imposing plots of arable crops.
Cereals as far as the eye can see, far from a bocage landscape.
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But little by little, the environment is becoming green again, in particular thanks to the actions of the Chambon association Bon Champ Bonne Haie (BCBH), to which José Blaud has called.
“We created it in 1998, a number of us said to ourselves that the landscape was becoming monotonous, desert-like, explains Philippe Baron, the president, teacher by trade, son and brother of a farmer.
Initially, we wanted to convince local farmers to replant trees between their fields and then allow people to meet during our participatory workcamps.
It has been extended to individuals, but a third of our board of directors comes from the agricultural sector, which is important”.
Concretely, the volunteers accompany the “planters” to put together files, prepare the ground, organize the site, help with planting, mulching, etc.
Exponential demand
In Charente-Maritime, supplies – plants, mulch, protection – are 100% covered by the departmental council as part of the EVA 17 program (Maintenance and enhancement of trees), co-hosted by the Interdepartmental Chamber of Agriculture 17-79 (Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres).
Since 2000, the beneficiaries have been associations such as BCBH or approved municipal hunting associations (Acca), but also individuals, farmers or communities.
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The interest must remain general and not private.
“The demand is exponential.
From 2000 to 2015, there were 25 km of hedges planted per year in the department.
Since 2015, we have increased to 50 km.
There are major issues around the tree: creating ecological corridors, acting for biodiversity, fixing carbon, enhancing wood or even beautifying the landscape", explains Éric Cirou, landscape and agroforestry project manager at the Chamber of Commerce. 'agriculture.
"The presence of a hedge can also limit runoff, retain the flow of pollutants and phytosanitary molecules", specifies Jérôme Fauriot, responsible for water actions at the Chamber.
On the ground, “the messages get through better today than twenty years ago when we were taken for ecolo-bobos.
There is a resurgence of agricultural interest in the tree”, observes Philippe Baron.
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“There are a lot of benefits, starting with the shade.
I try to have as many connections as possible between my hedges.
They also bring organic matter and acidity thanks to the roots, which is interesting for my soil”, emphasizes Stéphane Baron, farmer on 148 ha of cereals in Virson.
However, “it is necessary that the planter finds his interest there.
Sometimes the presence of trees in certain places can be bad for freezing or create water competition.
Hence the interest of being technically advised upstream of the project by our teams”, points out Éric Cirou.
And to conclude that with the new CAP 2023-2027 and the implementation of the eco-regime, tree plantations in agricultural areas should continue to expand.