Évelyne Leterme, consultant and trainer in arboriculture and agroecology and author of reference books such as  De la taille à la conduite des arbres fruitiers et La biodiversité amie du verger (links in French) came to help me this weekend. After two days of intense work in snowing conditions, my trees are now ready for the new season. I learned a lot about pruning methods which respect the natural development of fruit trees.

We also started to design a grazed orchard in a 5,000 square meters field (1.25 acre) which belongs to me. I am keen to implement this agroforestry project (fruit-bearing hedge and standard trees) which will complement the virtuous cattle-breeding practices of my neighbour. 

Finally, when preparing for the weekend, Évelyne Leterme recommended a book published in January 2025 by agronomist Pierre Weill Une seule santé (One health). I purchased it and went through it before she arrived. The scientific validation of the author’s intuition that human, animal and soil health are connected, which dates back to 1999 with a study carried out in Brittany is quite remarkable. The title of the book reminded me of the theme of the EGEA 2023 conference on fruit and vegetable.  When can we expect our apple trees to grow in healthy-enough ecosystems for us to bite into an apple without being concerned with the toxicity of its skin? In my property, we are aiming at creating an orchard ecosystem which doesn’t require phytosanitary treatment and where the soil is alive and rich enough for fruit to be abundant, nourishing and tasty. 

Weill P., 2025, Une seule santé, Actes Sud (in French)