Height:
1–1.5 m (tall herb layer)
Ecological Functions:
- Nitrogen fixer
- Deep taproot breaks clay, improves drainage
- Dynamic accumulator (P, Ca, Mg)
- Strong pollinator support
- Biomass crop for chop-and-drop
- Pioneer species for degraded ground
Best Placement:
- Adjacent to apples, pears, stone fruit
- Lower to mid-slope as soil conditioner
- In reclaimed blackberry zones
- Avoid under walnut (sensitive to juglone)
Pairs Best With:
- Apple
- Pear
- Plum
- Peach
- Nectarine
- Feijoa
- Pomegranate
- Fig
- Citrus (mid–lower slope)
Suitability:
High for cool temperate; extremely valuable on compacted clay soils.