Tree Pruning (Orchard Promotion)

The funding program Tree Pruning (Orchard Promotion) in Baden-Württemberg supports the professional maintenance and formative pruning of orchard trees from the third year of growth onwards. The goal is the preservation and development of near-natural orchard stands, which serve as diverse habitats for animal and plant species typical of orchard meadows. Funding is provided for regular maintenance pruning as well as formative pruning of young trees with a subsidy of up to €18 per tree within the funding period 2026–2028. The program framework encompasses the thematic areas of Agriculture & Rural Development, Environmental and Nature Conservation, as well as Energy Efficiency & Climate Protection, and targets a broad audience including private individuals, agricultural enterprises, associations, landscape conservation associations, cider mills, distilleries, and municipalities.

Interested groups consisting of at least three private individuals or agricultural enterprises may submit a collective application covering a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 1,000 orchard trees. The prerequisite is that the areas are located in Baden-Württemberg, are contiguous, and that the measures are carried out only after approval. The collective application must be submitted by June 15, 2026; for tree pruning in spring 2026, the deadline is January 15, 2026. To apply, the application form, the instructions for collective application submission, and annexes with declarations from participants are required. After positive review by the responsible regional councils (Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Freiburg, Tübingen), applicants receive approval and payment notices regulating the timing of pruning periods and payments by the end of each year. The project duration is 36 months; established placement criteria include the date of receipt of the applications.