traditional orchards

Traditional orchards are an important part of our landscape. They are havens of biodiversity, home to literally hundreds of species of fauna and flora, which is why they are Priority Habitats within the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan. We get much of our fruit from traditional orchards, where we know the fruit is unsprayed and is as natural as fruit can be. But traditional orchards have been in decline - Gloucestershire has lost about 70% of its orchards since the 1950s - and although the decline has now generally been arrested we still need to be vigilant. It’s why we joined and are an active member of the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust (and from May 2023 our Director. cider-maker, bottle washer and general factotum, David Lindgren, became Chairman of the Trust).

OUR CONTRIBUTION

As we search the county for new sources of fruit we come across old, neglected orchards. On tracking down the owners, we have sometimes been successful in persuading them to look after their orchards. We’ve planted new trees in at least 6 old, traditional orchards, giving them all a new lease of life. At Waterhatch orchard, the owner has now re-laid the bordering hedge - he’s now investing in the orchard and its habitat. To the casual observer it may look a bit scruffy but it is a thriving ecosystem and the orchard is now more secure than at any time in the past 50 or so years.

Elsewhere, the fruit we buy from traditional orchards sustains or revives owners’ interest. We’ve bought a few tonnes of apples from an orchard in Ashleworth for the past 5 years and last autumn were told that they now wanted to plant a few new trees; five years ago they were thinking about grubbing-up the orchard. Our business may be small but it still makes a difference.

PLANTING NEW ORCHARDS

We also plant new orchards. Whilst it is an activity that generates welcome revenue for us, it also contributes to the revival of traditional orchards in Gloucestershire. The county was once a major fruit growing region of England but every time we stray over the border into Herefordshire we’re struck by how many more orchards there are in that county. We have no desire or expectation for our business to become huge - or even large - but we would like it to grow sufficiently so that we can make a noticeable impact on the orchard landscape of Gloucestershire, either though planting new orchards or helping to revive and sustain existing ones. If you’re thinking about planting a new orchard or need help in managing an existing orchard please click here.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If you have a local orchard Trust, then please think about joining it; the annual subscription of the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust is £15. Or think about joining your local Wildlife Trust or the Woodland Trust.