Vienna (OTS) – The impressive pear trees in the Mostviertel shape the landscape of the region. In recent years, however, the care and pruning of these standard fruit trees has been increasingly neglected. To counteract this, AGRAR PLUS has started a two-year pilot project in collaboration with the Mostviertel Orchard Conservation Association. As part of this project, old cider pear trees are revitalized through targeted rejuvenation pruning. The project is supported with €33,630 by Blühendes Österreich – BILLA non-profit private foundation as part of the focus on #strewn fruit.
During an on-site appointment with the Wimmer family in Wolfsbach, a 200-year-old row of pear trees was viewed. With its impressive length of almost one kilometer, the line of trees is a rarity – only a handful remain in Lower Austria. The Mostviertel orchard conservation association supports the Wimmer family with the care and pruning of the standard pear trees.
„A fruit tree cultivated by humans requires care to ensure its preservation and yield. Unfortunately, due to the neglect of care in recent decades, time is running out. We have to increase the pace to make the pear tree stocks fit for the future
“, explains Engelbert Wieser, chairman of the “Mostviertel Scattered Fruit Conservation” association. Wieser adds that “old pear trees are habitats full of biodiversity and are essential for our biodiversity. Young trees need decades before they can fulfill the distinctive functions of an old tree again in the same way.
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Effective care of pear trees
As part of the project, 210 trees will be cut in the Mostviertel within two years. These rejuvenation cuts are intended to stimulate new growth in the old pear trees and improve the quality of the fruit. However, due to the size of the trees and the locations, maintenance operations cannot be carried out using traditional ladders. An all-terrain crawler work platform with self-leveling supports is used, enabling safe and professional care.
Interested parties can take part in the project with a minimum of four and a maximum of ten standard pear trees. The project area is limited to the communities of the Mostviertel. Further information on registration can be found here.
A lighthouse project for the preservation of orchards
Rainer Silber and Leopold Reikersdorfer, members of the ARGE Streuobst Austria association, underline the importance of the project: “ARGE Streuobst Österreich sees the care of old fruit trees as one of the biggest challenges in orchard cultivation. Professional rejuvenation pruning increases the vitality of the trees and contributes to the security of orchards. This makes lighthouse projects like the one in the Mostviertel and also the in-depth training of fruit tree keepers and fruit tree nurses throughout Austria all the more important.
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Ronald Würflinger, General Secretary of Blooming Austria, is enthusiastic: “The visit to the Wimmer family shows that the co-financing from Blühendes Österreich amounting to almost €33,000 makes a real contribution to protecting the pear tree substance in the Mostviertel. I am pleased that we can actively help the Mostviertel Orchard Conservation Association to mobilize dozens of farmers to preserve the orchard culture. I would like to sincerely thank Chairman Engelbert Wieser, his board members and the AGRAR PLUS team for their valuable commitment.
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Andreas Pum, Chamber Chairman of the Amstetten District Farmers’ Chamber, adds: “The basic objective is clearly to maintain family businesses. Thanks to the support of Blühendes Österreich, we can take important steps to improve the management of orchards in the Mostviertel region. There needs to be greater focus on regional quality.
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Josef Breinesberger, Managing Director of AGRAR PLUS, highlights the potential impact of the project: “It is intended to encourage other tree owners to also care for and prune their trees. The goal is to initiate similar initiatives across federal state borders and thus start a broad movement for the sustainable management of orchard fruit trees.
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Projects like these make it possible to preserve the unique cultural landscape of the Mostviertel for future generations.
Together with ARGE Streuobst Austria, Blühendes Österreich held the national program call #streuobst in 2023. Blühendes Österreich is providing almost €250,000 for 13 lighthouse projects with a biotope impact of 20 hectares. The projects will be implemented from 2024 to 2025. Henkel provided €12,500 for a special prize.
Questions & Contact:
Maria Anna Duda, Head of Communications for Blooming Austria, Tel. +43 676 711 74 50, m.duda@bluehendesoesterreich.at