Last year, I prepped and installed some of my fruit tree guilds. I had planned to install the following guilds around my zone 2 fruit trees. As with most plans, they did not go exactly according to plan. I had trouble getting some of the plants and seed, and I decided to plant more chicken friendly edibles, as these trees are inside the chicken paddocks. Having said that, my original plan was good, so I am listing it below, in case you might want to copy it. The important thing is that you install ample nitrogen fixers, nutrient accumulators, pollinator attractors, and pest repellants. Nitrogen fixers are the most important part of the guild.
Fruit Tree Guild
Apple “Dwarf”
Shrubs: (1) elaeagnus x ebbingei
Groundcover: chives, horseradish, parsley, oregano, parsnips, garlic, daikon, dutch white clover
Cherry “Dwarf”
Shrubs: (1) elaeagnus x ebbingei
Groundcover: chives, horseradish, parsley, oregano, parsnips, garlic, daikon, dutch white clover
Pear “Medium Rootstock”
Shrubs: (3) Russian Olive, (3) Sunchokes
Groundcover: chives, oregano, camas, bee balm, dill, yarrow, chicory, daikon, dutch white clover
Nectarine “Medium Rootstock”
Shrubs: (3) Russian Olive, (3) Sunchokes
Groundcover: chives, horseradish, parsley, oregano, parsnips, garlic, daikon, dutch white clover
Fruit Tree Guild
What I ended up with listed below
Apple “Dwarf”
Shrubs: (1) goumi
Groundcover: chives, garlic, dutch white clover, chicory, daikon, dill, alfalfa
Cherry “Dwarf”
Shrubs: (1) goumi
Groundcover: chives, garlic, dutch white clover, chicory, daikon, dill, alfalfa
Pear “Medium Rootstock”
Shrubs: (3) goumi
Groundcover: chives, dill, yarrow, chicory, garlic, dutch white clover, daikon, alfalfa
Nectarine “Medium Rootstock”
Shrubs: (3) goumi
Groundcover: chives, garlic, daikon, dutch white clover, dill, yarrow, alfalfa
Pear Tree Guild