SUMMARY. In a food forest, every tree becomes part of an ecological guild – a community of plants that strengthen each other and thrive together. Each plant has a job to do: trees provide shade and food, ground cover improves soil fertility and prevents erosion, deep-rooted plants loosen the soil and store water, while flowering plants and herbs attract pollinators. This symbiosis not only provides biomass, soil protection and fertiliser, but also valuable yields such as food and medicinal remedies – even before the tree is fully grown. In this way, we create resilient habitats, regenerate the soil and increase biodiversity for sustainable yields and a vibrant future! We present examples of plant guilds in this blog post.
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‘More than a tree – a network of life that strengthens each other.’
What are plant guilds?
Plant guilds are plant systems that mimic the natural tendency of wild plants to grow together in groups of several species. Guilds usually consist of plants that fulfil several useful ecological functions and support each other’s health in a variety of ways.
Plant guilds are a combination of form and function.
The aim is to mimic the stratification and relationships found in nature while providing valuable resources for humans. We like to use guilds when designing complex agroforestry systems because they naturally support fruit trees, nut trees and other plants by promoting diversity, improving health and increasing long-term yields.
How can companion plants help trees?
The plants in a guild can benefit humans, wildlife and each other. Planting guilds around productive fruit and nut trees can have a variety of benefits. A typical guild consists of different species with complementary functions: soil-improving plants such as nitrogen fixers, ground cover to prevent erosion and drying out, deep-rooted species for nutrient mobilisation, insect magnets to promote pollination, and protective plants against pests. Here are some of the benefits we look for when selecting plants for a tree guild, along with examples of plants that offer these benefits. Note: Many plants have more than one function. And: It works in your garden too!
Why plant guilds?
In summary, it makes sense to plant trees not in isolation but in plant guilds, i.e. in communities of plants that support each other’s growth. This diverse neighbourhood strengthens the resilience of the system, promotes soil fertility, saves water and maintenance and creates a stable, productive mini-ecosystem around the tree. This creates a healthy, self-regulating habitat in the long term.
Here are a few examples
Good to know: Clover binds nitrogen, comfrey collects minerals, chives repel pests, nasturtiums attract pollinators, buckwheat increases water infiltration, daikon radish loosens compacted soil, horseradish provides biomass for green mulch, honeyberry provides food for humans, elderberry provides medicine for humans, and highbush cranberry provides food for wildlife. More examples with trees:
Banana
Guild with okra, beans, cassava and sweet potatoes
Together with okra, beans, cassava and sweet potatoes, bananas form a robust ecosystem. The beans bind nitrogen and thus improve the soil quality, which directly supports the growth of the bananas. Cassava loosens the soil deep down, making it easier for banana roots to absorb water and nutrients. The okra attracts pollinators with its flowers, strengthening the entire guild. Sweet potatoes cover the ground, protecting it from erosion and retaining moisture in the soil. Together, they form a strong and productive guild.
Cashew
Guild with Leucaena, cowpea, yams and maize
The cashew tree is a robust woody plant that is characterised by its tolerance to poor soils and drought and can be combined well with nitrogen-fixing plants such as Leucaena (white-headed mimosa) and cowpea or ground cover plants. A cashew guild could be supplemented with yams and maize. Yams loosen the soil with their deep roots and facilitate water absorption, while maize provides shade, stores moisture and stabilises the soil structure. In addition to the valuable cashew nuts and cashew apples, the cashew tree provides soil protection and promotes biodiversity through its flowers, which attract numerous pollinators.
Apple
Guild with serviceberry, red currant, sage, potato and ground ivy
The apple tree benefits from pollination by the flowers that the serviceberry provides to pollinators early in the year, thus bearing additional fruit. The red currant grows well in the partial shade of the apple tree and also attracts pollinators, which increase the yield of both plants. Sage repels pests with its aromatic leaves and provides valuable ground cover. The potato loosens the soil with its roots and improves aeration for the apple tree. Ground ivy as ground cover protects against erosion, stores moisture and suppresses weeds. These plants support each other and create a healthy environment that keeps the apple tree robust and productive.
Pear
Guild with oil-bearing willow, sunflower, mugwort, bush bean and onion
This guild strengthens the pear tree and creates a diverse and resilient plant community. The oil-bearing willow binds nitrogen in the soil and improves soil fertility. Sunflowers attract pollinators with their large flowers and provide light shade for more sensitive plants. Mugwort acts as a natural pest repellent, as its essential oils deter pests. The bush bean further enriches the soil with nitrogen, so that the entire guild benefits from an additional supply of nutrients. Onions keep pests away with their sulphurous compounds and promote soil health. Together, these plants create a vibrant and fertile environment that keeps the pear tree healthy and productive.
Mango
Guild with eucalyptus, Mexican sunflower, taro and ginger
This guild strengthens the tropical mango tree, which we value for its delicious fruit. Eucalyptus provides shade, repels pests and supplies mulch. Mexican sunflower improves the soil, attracts pollinators and also provides mulch. Taro covers the ground, retains moisture and prevents erosion, while ginger improves the soil structure and releases nutrients. All plants are edible and together create a healthy microclimate.
Walnut
Guild with poplar, raspberry, comfrey, beetroot and strawberry
This guild supports the walnut tree and creates a diverse, productive ecosystem. The poplar grows quickly, loosens the soil with its deep roots and protects young walnut trees from the wind. Raspberries thrive in the partial shade of the walnut and attract pollinators that benefit the entire system. Comfrey enriches the soil with nutrients by drawing minerals from deep underground with its deep roots and provides mulch material for the walnut tree. Beetroot grows easily in shady areas and provides additional yields without competing with the walnut roots. Strawberries cover the ground, retain moisture, suppress weeds and provide an early harvest.
Chestnut
Guild with elderberry, cornel cherry, mullein, radish and woodruff
The chestnut tree plays a central role in the guild, providing shade with its dense canopy and nutritious fruits. The elderberry offers protection from the wind, attracts pollinators and repels some pests with its fragrant flowers and leaves. Cornelian cherry complements the guild with edible fruits and improves biodiversity, while thriving in the partial shade of the chestnut tree. Mullein loosens the soil with its deep roots, attracts beneficial insects and leaves behind nutrient-rich mulch. Radishes grow quickly and easily in the undergrowth, provide yields and improve soil structure. Woodruff covers the ground, prevents weed growth and retains moisture, while its scent also deters pests.
Olive
Guild with fig, willow, tagasaste, grape and thyme.
This guild creates a harmonious Mediterranean ecosystem. The tagasaste (dwarf broom) binds nitrogen in the soil and provides valuable nutrients that promote the growth of the olive tree. The fig thrives in similar conditions and provides additional shade, while its deep roots loosen the soil and retain moisture. The willow draws water from deeper soil layers with its root system, keeping the topsoil moister for the olive tree and other plants. The grapevines climb up the trees and make efficient use of space, while the thyme acts as ground cover, suppressing weeds and keeping pests away. Together, the plants form a healthy, resilient community that strengthens the olive tree and maintains soil quality.
Where to continue reading?
A good source is PFAF.org, the Plants for a Future website. This is a database containing several thousand plants suitable for our latitudes. There is also a German-language source: smagy.de, where you can find lots of useful information.