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The practice of producing tree hay, or tree fodder more broadly speaking, has hence the potential to once again become an integral part of the agricultural enterprise enhancing its resilience. As a consequence trees and hedges can reclaim a central place on the farm and in the landscape together with
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In recent experiments trees where cut and harvest material was bundled and stored freshly or green mixing several species. Many of these bundles still had green leaves after 1 or 2 seasons in storage with still some green leaves after 24 months. Processing tree hay from leaves and young twigs can be
314:
Because of this, but also because of species specific characteristics, tree hay may contain specific nutrients, such as minerals, that may provide in certain health needs of livestock in addition to regular fodder. Tree hay could therefore contribute to a more varied diet and enable livestock with
69:
challenges. In part because trees and hedges are increasingly recognised as valuable elements beneficial for biodiversity and landscape. Additionally, a growing body of scientific research indicates that tree leaves can potentially serve as an additional source of relevant nutrients for livestock.
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in different amounts and the nutrients will also vary depending on soil type and season. Analysing tree fodder on site can be important to give insight to the nutritional value of a specific situation. However, the seasonal variations don't seem significant enough as to when the fodder should be
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In modern practices tree hay is considered to be a complementary fodder source for livestock to diversify and balance their diets. As nutritional values vary depending on species, local conditions and season a farm specific approach is always necessary in combination with monitoring livestock
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communities. For some it was structurally part of the fodder stock in winter. In other regions trees were more of a backup source in case of failing grass hay production, for example due to extreme summer weather. Either way, trees were essential for the resilience of traditional agrarian
46:. It specifically refers to the practice of feeding the material to livestock directly after collection or more commonly after storing and sometimes drying the tree hay for a certain period of time. It hence does not include the browsing of trees and fodder hedges by livestock directly.
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It is possible to harvest from existing trees or hedges or alternatively planting trees for the purpose of harvesting tree hay. Trees in a pasture or hedges along field boundaries are a possibility as well as more plantation like planting of trees that are optimized for mechanical
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Tree hay was most commonly harvested in the summer, possibly dried and stored until the hay was fed to the livestock in the winter. Cutting and drying methods varied per region, but a common practice was the bundling of 60 to 200 cm long twigs held together with twisted twigs of
221:(Morus alba) leaves, we see that the mulberry is superior to alfalfa in most nutritional values. Mulberry contains on average less protein than alfalfa, but the difference is less than 1% (fresh and dried). Mulberry still contains 19% protein on average, ranging from 11% to 25%
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The simplest method to feed tree leaves may still be to allow livestock to directly browse trees or hedges. This does, however, require careful management. The production of tree hay is also labor-intensive, although there are possibilities to further mechanize this practice.
311:. Hence trees can function as a buffer or backup fodder source in case of disappointing yields of grass hay or other livestock fodder, e.g. in extreme circumstances or to deal with the usual pasture growth dynamics.
231:, but in better ratios, improving the overall digestibility. Mulberry also has better absorption of nutrition for animals. Because of this, animals may need to eat less, which can reduce the farmers' costs.
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The tree species that were harvested depended on the local conditions and culture as well as the type of livestock that was held and their preferences for certain species. In Europe's moderate climate zones
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In addition to macro and micro nutrients, many tree fodder contain a number of secondary compounds that have medicinal properties. The most common secondary compounds are
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Mulberry contains more secondary compounds, tannins in particular. When mulberry leaves are dried the tannin levels increase significantly. Alfalfa contains mostly
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Producing tree hay was once a common and widespread practice across Europe. Trees were often an essential source of seasonal livestock fodder for many
139:(10%). However, the nutritional value of trees can be very variable and is influenced by many different factors. Every species contains different
650:"Potential of Mulberry Leaf Biomass and Its Flavonoids to Improve Production and Health in Ruminants: Mechanistic Insights and Prospects"
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quality as they do not require tilling like annual crops, which for example causes the soil to store less carbon in the long term
224:. Moreover, Mulberry contains less crude fiber making it more palatable and animals can ingest more of it before they are full.
57:. However, recently the interest in this ancient practice, and tree fodder more generally, have started to revive. It relates to
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Hassan, Faiz-ul; Arshad, Muhammad Adeel; Li, Mengwei; Rehman, Muhammad Saif-ur; Loor, Juan J.; Huang, Jiaxiang (November 2020).
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and mineral levels of some species are relatively high, which makes tree fodder a valuable complementary source of nutrients
520:(Conference). Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference. ‘Building Organic Bridges’, at the Organic World Congress.
246:, causing more efficient digestion of nutrients and fiber and reduces methane emissions. The flavonoids in mulberry are also
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271:. Depending on the chosen system different cutting methods might be needed. Mechanization options are available for
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all the benefits of trees for landscape, biodiversity and nature. Trees and hedges are for instance beneficial to
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seem to have been popular as fodder sources. But in harsh winters or after bad growing seasons even species like
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Dried tree leaves contain higher mineral levels compared to fresh leaves. Making tree hay a valuable source of
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and does not contain any tannins. Mulberry leaves are rich in flavonoids. This increases biodiversity of the
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Alfalfa is considered one of the most nutrient dense fodders for livestock. But when compared to for example
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fungal associations, under certain conditions trees can access more nutrients and moisture than for example
62:
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in particular is interesting, as these minerals are significantly higher in some trees compared to grass.
511:"Renewed interest for silvopastoral systems in Europe – an inventory of the feeding value of fodder trees"
487:"Quantifying Nutritional Value and Best Practices for Woody Fodder Management in Ruminant Grazing Systems"
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455:"NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF FODDER TREES: THE IMPORTANCE OF TREE SPECIES, SOIL TYPE AND SEASONAL VARIATION"
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348:"Tree Hay as Source of Economic Resilience in Traditional Social-ecological Systems from Transylvania"
738:"TREE LEAF FODDER FOR LIVESTOCK: TRANSITIONING FARM WOODLOTS TO 'AIR MEADOW' FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE"
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295:. Also, chipping the material has been found to be a possibility to process and store tree hay.
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Min, B.R.; Hart, S.P. (1 February 2003). "Tannins for suppression of internal parasites".
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557:(Conference). 4th European Agroforestry Conference, Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use.
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It is a traditional practice that was once widespread, but has been largely forgotten as
460:(Conference). 4th European Agroforestry Conference Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use.
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Luske, Boki; Van
Eekeren, Nick (2014). Rahmann, G; Aksoy, U (eds.).
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552:"TREE FODDER IN UK LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS: OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS"
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Hartel, Tibor; Craioveanu, Cristina; Réti, Kinga-Olga (2016).
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712:"Tree Fodder is building resilience (and carbon) on our farm"
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of tree leaves in comparison to grass is relatively low. But
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produced by harvesting the leaves and twigs of a variety of
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done in the same way as conventional grass hay, including
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outside of the growing season. Tree fodder as a source of
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Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Projects
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Domestic stock grazing to enhance woodland biodiversity
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The Museum of the
Romanian Peasant Anthropology Journal
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in general through shared goals of solving climate and
390:. 3rd European Agroforestry Conference - Montpellier.
623:California Alfalfa and Forage Association (2004).
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53:became the dominant practice in
22:(sometimes also referred to as
625:"Commodity Fact Sheet Alfalfa"
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254:Different systems in use today
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299:Advantages over annual crops
385:"Forgotten Food - Tree HAy"
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174:selenium
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281:pruning
194:tannins
131:(60%),
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610:link
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