Page 22 - ALG Issue 2 2015

Feature on... orchards
Community Orchards on Allotment Sites
Just the thought of an orchard on an allotment site is enough to give some allotmenteers a fit of the vapours and if there are long waiting lists in the area, then perhaps they are justified. However, many site associations have an awkward spot that is hard to cultivate and let. Some feel that the sacrifice of a piece of land
is worth the reward in terms of the social and environmental benefits that can be achieved by giving over a part of the site to fruit trees and communal activity.
• Placing all the fruit or nut trees in one place removes the problems with shade and root-spread that arise when trees are placed on individual plots; this is
a significant concern now that many people only rent a 5 rod plot. Pollination of individual trees on plots can be a bit hit or miss, but an orchard gives the opportunity to plant suitable pollination partners.
• Consider planting local varieties of fruit tree which have been developed to suit regional conditions, but have become endangered and rely on small orchard projects for conservation.
• The produce can be harvested by all and avoids the glut and waste that sometimes occurs when trees are on individual plots. The orchard can also become a focus for community and community activity – work parties, wassailing, apple pressing and educational activities for visiting schoolchildren or at events.
A traditionally managed orchard can support local biodiversity by providing food, shelter and potential breeding sites for many different species
of fungi, lichen, insects, birds, mammals and plants. By following the
principles below, you can help to maintain wildlife in your orchard:
•Retain decaying wood •Plant new trees
• Provide feeding and nesting habitats
•Reduce chemical use
A species rich hedge around the orchard and areas of grass left long will provide shelter and food for birds, insects and small mammals. A pond will also increase
biodiversity but do take into account the fact that young children may be around. Windfalls are an important source of autumn and winter food.
More information on funding, creating and managing an allotment orchard can be found at the links below.
Have you got a community orchard on your site, are you holding events this year? Why not take some pictures of the fun
and enter them in to the 2015 NAS/Shield photo competition, details on page 6 of this magazine.
Di Appleyard
Traditional Orchard information
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/24006
Community Orchard guides, including funding information
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11466/1973262.pdf www.orchardnetwork.org.uk/content/community-orchards-0 www.helpingbritainblossom.org.uk/
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