OltrefossO (beyond the creek)  Design 2 - Slope: baskethedge

Design

The baskethedge is a living green wall made of intertwined trees. ​
I designed the baskethedges by putting all the following techniques together.

Inspiration

  • Picture 1: weaved branches are used to retain soil and create terraces.
  • Picture 2: the branches of this carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) were used to stop erosion and to create terraces behind them.
  • Picture 3: you can create living hedges using willows (Salix spp.).
  • Pictures 4 and 5: you can build thicker hedges "laying" small trees like hawthorns (Crataegus monogyna) or blackthorns (Prunus spinosa).
  • Picture 6: you can prevent erosion by planting vetiver plants (Chrysopogon zizanoides) one hand span apart and following contour lines, thanks to the very deep roots of the plant.

3 fases of the baskethedges

Picture
  • In the upper line we can see how in a first phase we plant willow cuttings one hand span apart.
  • In the middle line we can see how in a second phase we weave the cuttings between themselves, following the direction of the creek. This way debris won't get entangled in them. New branches start growing vertically.
  • In the bottom line we see how in a third phase we weave the vertical branches again and new branches start to grow vertically.
  • After this second weaving we can do others. Little by little we're creating a green wall. We can go on weaving until we reach the desired hight.

Properties of the baskethedges

  • Baskethedges create terraces like with weaved branches.
  • Baskethedges are living heges like the willow hedges. In this case weaved like in a basket.
  • Baskethedges create thicker living hedges like the lay hedges.
  • Baskethedges prevent erosion like the vetiver structures. 

Also

  • Once we reach the desired height we can cut all the new branches and we can use them to make baskets, like fibre to tie or sustain, or we can let them grow woodier. We could then use them as fuel for the efficient chimney in the house of the Di Mario-Ardovini Estate (Zone 0).
  • We planted around 300 willow cuttings and we created a regenerative forest. 23 linear meters, one cutting every 23 cm, 3 lines of cuttings.
  • We can use the border effect to collect nutrients catching and storing energy and using and valuing renewable resources (willow) generating more biodiversity in the new microclimates created by the baskethedges.
  • The newly created terraces will be perfect for planting various other plants Las terrazas que se formarán hospedarán varias plantas obtaining another yield, using and valuing diversity, integrating more than segregating:
    • In the lower terrace elderberries (Sambucus nigra) will be planted. They are medicinal trees that grow along rivers with edible flowers, that can be also used to make elderberry champagne, and fruits that can be used for making marmalade and wine. When the trees grow it will possible to collect flowers and fruits from the OltrefossO side or from the del de la Di Mario-Ardovini Estate.
    • In both terraces:
      • Herbs that will improve the soil like russian comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum): common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) already grows naturally in the area.
      • Herbs that repel mosquitoes: citrosa geranium (Pelargonium 'citrosum'), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus´), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
    • In the upper terrace:
    • Edible shrubs: raspberries- (Rubus idaeus), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), currants (Ribes spp.) and gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa).
    • Mushrooms in the Southern side (always in shade).
Picture
Mushroom planting pattern in burlap sacks to be mimicked in the southern side between the three baskethedges. The southern side is always shaded by the black locust forest and the baskethedges themselves.