The apples aren’t just for people, but for wildlife too
Since the 1950s around 90% of traditional orchards in Devon have been lost. Cheaper imported fruit reduced demand for home-grown apples, while changes to more intensive farming methods meant traditional orchards were neglected or removed in favour of other crops.
At Killerton the National Trust manages orchards the old fashioned way. Over 98 types of apple tree are grown, which are bigger and taller than those found in commercial orchards. These trees are the cornerstone of orchard habitats that can support over 1,800 species.