Classic (extensive) orchards in Croatia

Hrvatska ima vrlo povoljne pomoekološke uvjete za uzgoj voćaka. Tradicija uzgoja voćaka duga je više stoljeća, a voćke su se uzgajale na gotovo svim seoskim gospodarstvima, te dijelom i u urbanim sredinama. Intenzivan uzgoj voćaka počeo se značajnije širiti polovinom prošlog stoljeća. Intenzivan uzgoj je u određenoj mjeri potisnuo interes za klasičnim, ali se postojeći voćnjaci visokostablašica uglavnom nisu krčili već su u većoj mjeri bili zapušteni. U novije vrijeme klasični voćnjaci ponovno postaju aktualni. Njihova uloga očituje se u očuvanju genetske raznolikosti, kako voćnih vrsta, tako i biljaka općenito. Posebna vrijednost tih voćnjaka očituje se u očuvanju tipičnog krajobraza ruralnih sredina, te kao osnove sustava organske proizvodnje voća i voćnih prerađevina. U ukupnim površinama voćnjaka u Hrvatskoj, intenzivni (plantažni) voćnjaci zauzimaju 24%, a preostali dio od oko 21.800 ha otpada na klasične voćnjake. U pojedinim županijama udio klasičnih voćnjaka je značajno veći, pa primjerice u Krapinsko-zagorskoj, Karlovačkoj, Varaždinskoj, Primorsko-goranskoj i Ličko-senjskoj županiji klasični voćnjaci visokostablašica zauzimaju više od 95% površina pod voćem. Među voćnim vrstama najviše se na klasičan način uzgajaju trešnje (92,0%), zatim slijede: orah (90,0%), šljiva (89,9%), marelica (87,2%), kruška (75,4%), višnja (73,4%), dok je značajno niži udio breskve i nektarine (53,3%), i najniži jabuke (43,2%).Croatia has very favourable ecological conditions for growing fruit trees. The tradition of growing fruit trees has a long history, and fruit was cultivated at almost all farms, and partly in the urban areas. Intensive cultivation of fruit trees began to expand significantly from the middle of last century. Intensive farming to some extent pushed interest for the classic growing system and the existing classic orchards were generally not managed properly and were largely neglected. In recent years, the classic orchards made again become current. Their role is reflected in the preservation of genetic diversity, both fruit species, and plants in general. The special value of these orchards is reflected in the preservation of the typical landscape of rural areas, as well as the basics of organic production of fruits and fruit products. In respect of the total acreage of orchards in Croatia, intensive (plantation) orchards occupy 24%, and the remaining part of about 21 800 ha are traditional orchards. In some counties, the share of traditional orchards is significantly higher, so for example in Krapinsko-zagorska, Karlovačka, Varaždinska, Primorsko-goranska and Ličko-eenjska, where classic orchards occupy more than 95% of the area under the fruit. Among the fruit species mostly traditionally grown are cherries (92.0%), followed by: nut (90.0%), plums (89.9%), apricots (87.2%), pears (75.4%), cherries (73.4%), while a significantly lower share is that of peaches and nectarines (53.3%), and the lowest are apples (43.2%)