- Having inherited a family plot in Haute-Loire, Simon Tarabon and his sister decided to create an edible forest there, "a nourishing jungle".
- It involves planting large trees but also ground cover and shrubs that are not necessarily found at medium altitude.
- The first fruits could be harvested in three years.
This slightly crazy idea came to them three years ago. Having inherited a family plot of one hectare in Retournac in the Haute-Loire, Simon and his sister Chloé started dreaming of an… edible forest. He is a doctor in ecology. She, architect. The two embarked on their respective spouses on the adventure, starting to burn seriously to "create an experimental project", a "sort of natural grocery store" or "nourishing jungle". For them, there was no question of leaving this old potato field abandoned. "We thought we wanted to make it a place of resources," says Simon Tarabon.
The concept: create a mix between the forest and the orchard. The complex will include several levels of vegetation: tall-stem trees, shrubs and ground cover, which can provide wild strawberries or mushrooms. "We wanted to go further than the orchard, which requires a lot of maintenance and which requires planting the trees in alleys and treating them at least three times a year", continues the young man. Instead, they decided to let nature take over. At the foot of the large trees that they started to plant at the beginning of the year, will be added fruit shrubs that are not used to growing at medium altitude (700 meters).
Thorny lemon trees and pomegranates
"We know that in the coming years, temperatures will increase on average by two degrees due to global warming," he explains. The idea was to be able to plant trees, which are not found today at this altitude and whose fruits must be imported now. Which ultimately leaves a significant carbon footprint. ” Like apricot trees, peach trees, thorny lemon trees, sea buckthorn or pomegranate trees.
"Before having a dense forest in which we can create a path to go and pick fruit, we will have to wait a little longer," smiles Simon Tarabon. The objective, however, is to be able to harvest the first fruits or small berries within two to three years ”. On the still unoccupied part of the site, the small family plans to set up an ecological apiary there in the spring. As well as an insect hotel.
“It is not yet known whether this forest will be a self-service site where consumers can come and pick their fruits. It is a reflection that we have. Our first desire is to share our experience and make others want to develop projects like this, "concludes Simon Tarabon who decided to use crowdfunding to help the quartet complete its project.
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