Q: How do you see the tree growing part of this question developing?
A: If you are planting low numbers of trees you can afford to use more expensive , highly selected trees eg from hardwood improvement programmes. Wild cherry is looking like a really good option on good land.
What % of poultry feed can be realised by insects and seeds from a silvopoultry system?
A: The typical advice is that the ration offered is close to the same. The benefits come from increased production with reduced stress. The choice and access to insects and seed also deliver on a more diverse and micronutrients in their diet. The key advantage is that birds tend to utilise the whole pasture area under trees rather than the area close to the housing. It is believed that the birds feel safer from aerial predators with the tree cover.
Q: Cherry useful as a component, beware of disease if planted pure? A: Yes, we need to learn from the ash experience! Plant mixtures though the concept of a nurse crop presumably does not apply.