#101Companion trees
101⸱AConcept
- Protects coffee trees from intense sunlight and heat
- Protects coffee trees from storms and strong winds
- Protects coffee trees from heavy rains
- Protects coffee trees from frosts
- Improves soil structure and organic matter
- Improves coffee quality
- Balances soil humidity and temperature
- Reduces erosion
Planting trees and shrubs next to and within the coffee field offers a variety of benefits to coffee cultivation in view of climate change. Climate change can come with rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, strong winds, and erratic and heavier rains. These impacts can physically damage the coffee trees, reduce coffee yield and quality, and cause soil erosion.
Companion trees and shrubs can serve as
- Shade trees
- Windbreaks
- Food, material, or income source
Shade trees
Shade trees help protect the coffee plants from intense sunlight and heat as well as from heavy rains. For this purpose, trees are planted within the coffee field in mixed arrangements or alley cropping. Shading slows down the coffee cherry ripening, leading to better coffee quality. More shade may also help to reduce the aggressiveness of some weeds and the occurrence of some pests such as stem borer.
Windbreaks
Stronger and more frequent storms and winds can physically damage coffee tree branches, especially when they are full of ripening cherries. They can also increase water evaporation and therefore the need for irrigation. Also, they can create cool or wet conditions that chill the leaves and encourage Phoma spp. attacks. Trees and shrubs – particularly when planted as living fences at the borders of the coffee field – serve as windbreaks and protect the coffee trees from these impacts by slowing down the wind over the plots. They balance the temperature and increase the humidity.
Food, material, or income source
Depending on the species, the companion trees can provide fruits for consumption, fodder, medicinal products, or resin for on-farm use or income generation. Residues and leaves can be used for Mulching, or wood as firewood or for Biochar production.
In general, trees and shrubs protect soils from erosion and improve soil fertility by providing organic matter and nutrients from falling leaves. A larger variety of plant species also leads to a greater number and variety of pollinators which can help increase the coffee yields.
For the implementation of low-growing plants, shrubs, and grasses, see also the tool of Cover crops (Living mulch).
Agroforestry
Integrating trees and shrubs into the coffee plot can be a step towards creating a more complex agroforestry system. Agroforestry is a land use system that combines crop cultivation with a variety of plant species of different heights, shapes, and characteristics. It therefore resembles the multi-strata structure of natural forests, creating biodiversity and a sustainable ecosystem with various benefits for nature and the production system.
101⸱BTo be considered
The best tree or shrub species to plant will depend on a range of criteria:
- They must not compete for nutrients, water, and light with the coffee plants or harbor diseases or pests transmissible to coffee.
- Their height, shape, and characteristics must fit the purpose (shade, windbreak, etc.).
- If they are deciduous, it is beneficial to choose tree species that lose their leaves at the exact time when the coffee plants need more sunlight.
- Multi-use species can bring additional benefits, e.g. legumes (nitrogen fixers, organic matter contribution, bee-friendly), fruit trees (food security and income), and timber trees (firewood and income), especially if they have different harvest times throughout the year.
- Consider how much pruning and maintenance the species needs and how much workforce is available.
It is important that the number and spacing of the trees meet the purpose. If planted too dense, the trees can have adverse effects: In areas that normally have low wind speeds or less intense sunlight, too much protection can lead to high humidity which may favor the development of fungal diseases. Too much shade can also impair coffee productivity and foster the occurrence of some coffee diseases.
Growing trees until they reach a size or maturity that serves their particular purpose can take up to several years. Fast-growing shrubs can bridge the time until trees have reached a sufficient height and strength.
Sequestering carbon by integrating trees into the coffee plot offers the opportunity for farmers to generate additional income through so-called Carbon Farming.
Timing: Trees and shrubs should be planted at the start of the rainy season. They can be integrated into the coffee field at any stage, however, if a new coffee field is being established or renovated and it is possible to plan, it is recommended to plant them at least one year before the coffee is planted.
101⸱CImplementation
Materials
Tree and shrub species commonly used in coffee plantations include:
Legume trees:
- Inga
- Acacia
Legume shrubs:
- Leucaena leucocephala (River tamarind)
- Tephrosia
Fruit trees:
- Banana
- Avocado
- Macadamia
Timber trees:
- Cedar
- Grevillea robusta (Southern silky oak)
- Mahogany (Caoba)
It is recommended to talk to an extensionist, farmer colleagues, or veteran farmers about their experiences with different native tree species.
Ensure that no pests or diseases are introduced along with the trees. Hence treated seeds are preferable, or saplings that have been grown by a responsible nursery so that disease-carrying soil is not accidentally introduced.
101⸱1Procedure
Windbreaks
101⸱DEconomic benefits
Higher coffee yield
The effects of this tool can lead to a higher coffee yield and therefore a higher income.
Better coffee quality
The effects of this tool can lead to a better coffee quality and therefore a higher income.
Lower irrigation demand
This tool reduces irrigation requirements and thereby costs.
Lower renovation costs
This tool increases the lifespan of the coffee trees. They need to be renovated less frequently which reduces the long-term production costs.
Additional income source
This tool has the potential to provide an additional income.
101⸱EGreen benefits
Better soil life
This tool helps improve soil life (microbes, earthworms, etc.). This plays a vital role in plant nutrition and contributes to a healthy ecosystem.
Higher biodiversity
This tool helps form habitats for different plant and animal species to grow. This contributes to a healthy ecosystem.
Carbon storage
This tool removes CO₂ from the air and stores it. This helps to reduce CO₂ levels in the atmosphere.