A new project launched last Friday aims to halt the loss of traditional orchards across England and help revive their fortunes.
The National Trust has secured £268,000 match-funding from Natural England’s Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action fund. This has enabled the trust to recruit an orchard officer to champion the cause of traditional orchards.
According to the National Trust, more than 60 per cent of traditional orchards in England have disappeared since the 1950s. This is down to land development pressure and conversion to other uses, as well as economics dictating that small-scale producers leave fruit growing, leading to orchard neglect.
Dr David Bullock, head of nature conservation at the National Trust, said: “Traditional orchards have been disappearing at an alarming rate. We are in real danger of losing these unique habitats and, if we don’t act, in some cases we will not even know what local varieties of fruit have been lost.”
A traditional orchard is defined as having at least five fruit trees. The trees are widely spaced and allowed to reach a hollowed, gnarled stage. They are subject to low intensity management with few inputs and they are often grazed by animals or cut for hay.
Although they are relatively small in area, traditional orchards are important for a wide range of rare and threatened species of flora and fauna.
The National Trust and its partners are planning wildlife and fruit variety surveys to help establish a better understanding of these habitats, and training workshops on the practicalities of managing an orchard, from pruning to planting and propagating.
The trust has more than 100 traditional orchards in its care. Kate Merry, orchard officer, said: “We now have a real opportunity to reverse the decline of traditional orchards and recognise the important role they play in our cultural and natural heritage.”
The development has been warmly welcomed by promotional body English Apples & Pears. Ceo Adrian Barlow told freshinfo: “We are extremely supportive of this development and any move to retain remaining traditional orchards or to establish new ones. There is a big difference between these and commercial orchards and they are not in competition with each other. They are also helpful in establishing a better link between consumers and the countryside and a greater understanding about apples and pears and their provenance.”
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