Why manage the understorey?
In many agroforestry systems, the area between the trees and under the tree canopy is an overlooked and underutilised space. Unmanaged, this can create problems with weed control. This space can be put to productive use through planting crops that are adapted to shady conditions. In addition, when managed correctly, the tree understorey can be a resource for biodiversity, providing a habitat for beneficial insects and a food resource for crop pollinators.