Standard fruit tree orchard at La Grangette organic farm

La Grangette organic farm is located on a grassy plain in the municipality of Puidoux in the canton of Vaud. In collaboration with oekoskop (in German) and with AXA's support, farm manager Laurent Chabert intends to plant some 200 standard fruit trees on his farmland. The aim of this anniversary project is to promote biodiversity through the fruit orchard as well as provide habitat for various plant and animal species.

Fruit orchard: Added value for nature

Fruit orchards are among the most diverse habitats in central Europe. The trees are especially important for birds. Nesting birds such as the owl of Athena or the hoopoe use the hollows in the trees for nesting. Swallows and spotted flycatchers hunt in and around the trees for insects. Finches and titmice search for caterpillars and other insects among the leaves, while hoopoes and thrushes search for insects on the ground. Standard fruit tree orchards are not made up solely of trees, but also of grassland and various structures, which provide living space for all kinds of wildlife, such as beetles, hedgehogs, butterflies, lizards, hover flies and many, many more. Structures provide the animals with spaces to find food and serve as a place of refuge.

Standard fruit trees: So many different kinds of fruit!

Today, orchards in Switzerland mainly plant apple trees, but also pear, plum, cherry and nut trees. Over the past several hundred years, plant breeding has produced many different types of fruit: In Switzerland today there are over 2,500 recognized varieties and each one is different and tastes different. What they all have in common is that they are healthy and can also be used in select products such as dried fruit, fruit must or cider.

Measures to promote biodiversity

The following measures are planned for the standard fruit tree orchard at La Grangette organic farm 

• Planting standard fruit trees: About 200 new trees will be planted. As yet, no decision has been made as to which varieties will be selected. 
• Structures for more habitat: To provide more diversity in the fruit orchard, structures such as piles of branches and stones and small hedgerows will be added.

The combination of standard fruit trees and species-rich grasslands with added structures will turn this orchard into a habitat specially adapted to rare and threatened animals.

Your contribution to the project

The standard fruit orchard project at La Grangette organic farm is an example of how agriculture could function sustainably – with a positive impact on the environment, biodiversity and local communities.

As an AXA customer, you have the option of taking part in this project or any of our other anniversary projects. Come join us in the Flora Futura Box, where you’ll be able to scan the QR code on the invitation you received. For every QR code that is scanned, AXA will donate CHF 5 to the biodiversity project in your region.