Community Orchards

Orchards are as vital a part of the British landscape as, say, the vineyards or olive groves of Southern Europe. Orchards are a distinctive and unique feature of the landscape, with a habitat value which is only starting to be properly acknowledged. The dramatic decline of British orchards in recent years needs to be reversed, their profile and value promoted.

One approach to the problem which many groups are seizing on is to establish community orchards. They have attributes and assets, even beyond traditional orchards:

	They are usually community-inspired, offering opportunities to express the enthusiasm and expertise of local people
	They consitute resource in which thecommunity can take pride and another focus of care and management by the community with its consequent social benefits
	Other community-building initiatives can be organised around the orchard, eg Blossom Time and Apple Day events
	They are are aesthetic, tranquil places and wildlife-rich
	They can act as a nursery to develop skills in orcharding, pruning, grafting
	The fruit harvest can play an imprtant role in healthy living through promoting the consumption of organic fruit, conversion to such products as fesh apple juice, cider vinegar and real cider
	They can draw in local schools through making the orchard an educational resource

In collaboration with the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, Shropshire Apple Trust has helped to establish a community orchard on 0.6 ha in Coalbrookdale in the Ironbridge Gorge. The orchard comprises some 25 mixed trees, standard and dwarfing rootstock, of dessert, culinary and cider varieties.

When thinking of establishing a community orchard, some of the considerations which need to be taken into account (quite apart from funding) are:

	Location and aspect of the land from a horticultural and perhaps social point of view the lie of the land with respect to drainage, frosts etc
	Planting distances between trees depending on type
	Flowering category of trees being planted with respect to cross fertilisation
	Early maintenance with respect to grass growth and pest control
	Long term maintenance
	Choice and mix of fruit trees with respect to varieties

The experience and expertise of good local nurseries will prove invaluable for getting advice and supply of trees.

Marcher Apple Network:-
Network co-ordinator Mrs Sheila Leitch Tel: 01497 847354
Membership Secretary Mr J Aldridge Tel: 01432 820304

Northern Fruit Group:-
'quasi-national' organising group with large database of fruit groups and orchard groups Email: scclark@santiago.u-net.com