Truffle orchards
A truffle orchard is a cultivated woodland: holm oaks and oaks inoculated with truffle which, with time and the right care, begin to bear fruit underground. In Conca de Barberà we tend ours with patience and know-how.
What a truffle plantation looks like
Plantations are established with trees mycorrhized in the nursery —holm oaks, oaks or kermes oaks— whose roots already carry the truffle fungus. They are planted in rows, spaced so the sun can warm the soil, with supplementary irrigation to get through dry summers.
The first years call for patience: the tree grows and the fungus colonises the soil. Production generally begins after five to seven years, and can last for decades if the orchard is well cared for.
Truffle soil and climate
The black truffle needs very specific conditions:
- Limestone soils, well drained and aerated; ideally on a gentle slope to avoid waterlogging.
- Balanced textures (loam, sandy loam or sandy clay loam).
- A Mediterranean climate with distinct seasons: warm, wet springs, dry summers with storms and no early autumn frosts.
- In the wild it occurs between 100 and 1,500 metres above sea level, on sunny slopes.
Care and management
A productive truffle orchard needs attention all year round: supplementary irrigation in summer, vegetation control, pruning to let the light in, shallow tillage and, in winter, harvesting with dogs.
Every site is different: that’s why it is essential to start with a soil analysis and advice from specialist technicians.
Certified mycorrhized plants: PROTOCAT
A successful plantation starts with the plant. We always recommend quality-controlled mycorrhized plants, guaranteeing that the roots carry Tuber melanosporum and not competing fungi.
In Catalonia, the safest way to do this is through PROTOCAT, the Catalan Truffle Growers’ Association, which coordinates the purchase of quality plants, mycorrhization testing and technical advice, under an agreement with the CTFC and the University of Lleida. We are members: Dídac Espasa is its vice-president.
If you want to start a truffle orchard or buy mycorrhized plants, contact PROTOCAT directly.
Research for the truffle of the future
Climate change, irrigation and new agroforestry models are challenges the industry is tackling hand in hand with research. We follow and share the work of the CTFC (Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia).
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy truffle-mycorrhized plants?
We recommend going through PROTOCAT, the Catalan Truffle Growers’ Association, which coordinates the purchase of plants with quality-controlled mycorrhization.
How many years until a truffle orchard produces?
As a rough guide, from five to seven years after planting, depending on soil, climate and management.
What soil does the black truffle need?
Well-drained, aerated limestone soils with balanced textures and a Mediterranean climate.