WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Six years at four German sites found spring crop yields averaged 10–35% lower when poplar rows were aged at least five years, especially near tree rows; winter crop yields remained broadly comparable with open fields across tree ages one to nine.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Management read: track crop yield by distance from tree rows and adapt crop choice as canopy and coppice age change. Compare winter crops or shorter tree rotations only after pricing grain, wood, operating costs and site-specific objectives.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
Four sites and selected crops do not determine general economic or ecological superiority; any biodiversity or soil benefits need separate monitoring.
SOURCE
Agronomy for Sustainable Development — Choe et al. (27 Oct 2026)
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