Orchard meadows have shaped the landscape around Sigmarszell for centuries. However, many of the old fruit trees are getting on in years. With a new project, the municipality and the Fruit and Horticultural Society Sigmarszell want to preserve and maintain these valuable biotopes.
"Orchard meadows are not only beautiful to look at, they are also important habitats for countless animal and plant species," explains Helmut Bayer, chairman of the Fruit and Horticultural Society. "From little owls to bats and rare insects, many threatened species find a home here."
As part of the project, old fruit tree varieties will be replanted on several sites in all three districts. Only historic varieties that were formerly widespread in the region will be used. "We're using varieties such as Boskoop, Beauty of Wiltshire or Gellert's Butter Pear," says Bayer. "These are robust varieties that cope well with our climate and at the same time preserve a piece of cultural history."
The municipality is providing the land and covering part of the costs. The project is supported by the Lindau Landscape Management Association and the Federation for Nature Conservation. "We are pleased about this broad support," says Mayor Jörg Agthe. "Orchard meadows are an important part of our Allgäu cultural landscape. Preserving them is an investment in the future."
An important component of the project is also the care of existing trees. The Fruit and Horticultural Society regularly offers pruning courses where interested residents can learn how to prune old fruit trees properly. "Proper care is crucial for the trees to remain healthy and bear fruit for many years," explains Bayer.
The harvested apples, pears and plums are partly processed into juice at a mobile press. The Sigmarszell orchard meadow juice is then served at municipal events and is also available in some local shops. "This way, residents can not only enjoy the landscape, but also taste what grows in our meadows," the mayor is pleased to say.
The society also offers guided tours of the orchard meadows for school classes and kindergarten groups. "We want to show even the youngest where our fruit comes from and how important these meadows are for nature," says Bayer.
The project is designed for the long term. A total of 150 new fruit trees are to be planted over the next five years. Residents who own an orchard meadow themselves or wish to create one can obtain advice from the Fruit and Horticultural Society. The society also arranges sponsorships for individual trees.
More information about the orchard meadow project is available on the website www.obst-und-gartenbauverein-sigmarszell.de or directly from chairman Helmut Bayer.
