Traditional Orchards are a priority habitat under the UK Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan and we are joint lead with Natural England.
In October 2008 Natural England awarded £268K from its Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund towards a traditional orchards partnership project. The National Trust is match funding (through defined purpose funds; in kind contributions and some fundraising) and managing the project from October 2008 to March 2011, on behalf of the UK Habitat Action Plan (HAP) group for traditional orchards.
The project was launched on 23 April 2009 in the National Trust orchards on the Killerton Estate, in Devon.
© NTPL
Project aims and objectives
The aim of the project is to improve the condition and increase the extent of traditional orchards throughout England. This will be achieved through: practical management activities, including restoration and creation projects; public events and interpretation displays; surveys to improve our knowledge on the wildlife and heritage fruit varieties associated with traditional orchards; a series of skills workshops to equip more people to care for orchards now and in the future; a spring celebration event to increase public awareness; and a website.
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Sites and partners
So far, we are working with some 30 Trust properties throughout England. In addition, we are working with 15 partner organisations or individuals at a number of further sites. These include Butterfly Conservation, Colwall Orchard Group, Kemerton Conservation Trust, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, The Northern Fruit Group and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A number of organisations are already involved in work to conserve our traditional orchard heritage. The project is very grateful for their advice and support. Key project partners include Natural England, Common Ground, Local Orchard Groups, The People’s Trust for Endangered Species, The Ancient Tree Forum, The Tree Council, The Wildlife Trusts, Westons and Sustain
Work underway
- 73 separate restoration activities (pruning, scrub clearance, grazing, planting and protection of new trees) are to be funded across 25 different sites.
- 38 separate surveying activities (mapping, fruit identification, baseline habitat and species specific surveys) are to be funded at 18 different sites.
- 27 training activities (pruning, propagating, surveying) will be funded at 9 different sites.
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© NTPL / Stephen Robson
Some of our work so far
Workshop – Mistletoe Marble Moth
In May we held a workshop with Butterfly Conservation. The focus was on the Mistletoe Marble Moth, a UK BAP priority species which relies on mistletoe to complete its lifecycle.
Mistletoe is closely associated with fruit trees, and so traditional orchards are the ideal habitat for this rare and elusive creature. We invited people from a range of organisations to come and learn about the ecology of the moth, and how to recognise it in the field.
This workshop resulted in further records for the species, and added data to Butterfly Conservation's understanding of the moths range, distribution and habitat requirements.
Restoration project – the orchard and cider press at Golden Cap Estate, Dorset
At Shedbush Farm, on our Golden Cap Estate, Dorset, an old cider press has lain dormant for many years. Now at last, they will be able to restore it – with funds from the project and the help of an enthusiastic cider-loving local volunteer group.
The orchard on the farm will be restored and harvested by the volunteers, the local community and holiday makers. The juice and cider will be enjoyed by all. Able to generate its own income once more, the orchards future and the wildlife that lives within it will be secure.
Creation Project – a Community Orchard at Beningbrough Hall
Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire is a property with strong links with two local villages. They are going to create a community orchard here, using local varieties of apple, pear and plum. Des Cotton, the Head Gardener at Beningbrough would like to include a fruit related labyrinth intertwining through the trees to encourage the public of all ages to get in amongst them. He would also like to install a sculpture trail, commissioning local artists.
It is intended that a dedicated community group will be set up, to care for the orchard and organise an annual harvest. Produce from the trees will be distributed amongst the community.
Survey – rare lichens at Smallhythe
We know that traditional orchards, with their mosaic of different habitats, are fantastic for wildlife. The Trust orchard at Smallhythe Place in Kent is small, but perfectly formed. Funded by the project, an expert will visit the orchard to examine the lichen community there, which is thought to be of interest but has never been formally surveyed.
Lichens, beautiful in themselves but also important indicators of air quality and biodiversity potential, favour traditional orchards for the diverse habitats and age structure of trees that they offer.
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