Tree planting day

We are looking for Help to Plant a mix of 30 fruit trees to create a ‘new’ traditional Orchard, we will provide all the equipment needed, but please bring suitable clothes for working outside and sturdy boots.

Why create an Orchard? Our aims are to breathe new life into the beautiful Orchards and hedgerows and create new spaces rich in beauty and buzzing with diversity where people can feel part of nature.

Traditional orchards have declined 63 per cent since 1950, largely a symptom of changes in agricultural practices, market forces, neglect and pressures from development. The estimated area of traditional orchards currently in the UK is 25,350 hectares, making it one of the rarer priority habitats and we are keen to reverse their decline.

Traditional orchards are far better for wildlife than commercial ones because they often contain very old trees, are given more space and wildflower meadows are often encouraged to grow underneath the trees to encourage pollinators to pollinate blossom when the trees burst into bloom. They also aren't treated with any pesticides. Rangers and volunteer teams keep a close eye on the trees and encourage tits and other insect eating birds to nest in the trees to help keep pests down.