The area of orchards in England and Wales has halved since the early 1900s, according to new research by the National Trust.
This has resulted in huge losses in habitats for nature, and meaning far fewer people can enjoy one of nature’s spectacular, yet fleeting, moments – spring blossom.
The charity has launched the first comprehensive review of both traditional and modern orchards in England and Wales using data from the National Library of Scotland’s historic map collection, data from People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and Natural England, and analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI) mapping technologies from ArchAI Ltd.
The results, announced earlier this week as part of its #BlossomWatch campaign, show that an area the size of the Isle of Wight has been lost over 100 years.
And, even worse, there has been an 81% decline in traditional orchards, roughly an area the size of the West Midlands.
London and the south-east had the smallest overall orchard losses of 24%, largely due to the number of significant modern orchards which have been planted. However, the region has seen a reduction of 84% in the area of traditional orchards.
In the early 1900s in the Bucks, Berks and Oxon region, Berkshire had the least area of orchards with 492 hectares, followed by Oxfordshire with 803Ha and Buckinghamshire with a generous 1446Ha.
Berkshire has seen a 74% loss in traditional orchards, Oxfordshire a 68% loss and Buckinghamshire a 75% loss in traditional orchards.
Since 1900, the Reading area has lost 93% of its 34Ha and Oxford has lost 82% of its traditional orchards.
Emma McNamara, gardens consultant for the South East: “It’s a tragedy that over 80% of the South East’s heritage orchards have been lost, but we’re working hard to bring back some of that lost blossom, in our gardens and parks too, with mixes of fruit and ornamental blossom trees, sometimes in creative layouts for visual impact.
“Trees like cherry plum Prunus cerasifera and sweet cherry Prunus avium; their nectar and fruit provide a terrific food source for birds, and insects like butterflies and bees.
“And of course they’re a beautiful spectacle in spring; in autumn too, when they are laden with fruit.”
The National Trust’s estates do have orchards.
At Greys Court, there is a traditional orchard in its walled garden and, this year, seven new pear and cherry trees were planted to create the Jubilee Tree Circle in support of the Queens Green Canopy.
Greys Court’s cherry garden is also undergoing restoration at the moment with many new cherry trees being planted to create a blossom tunnel in spring.
And Cliveden’s Round Garden orchard has been under restoration for more than 10 years. It was originally laid out in the mid-19th century and is possibly the only surviving example in the UK of a circular fruit orchard form this period.
It was highly ornamental, with apple, plum, cherry and pear trees growing up and over seven-foot tall iron hoops arranged around and across the 250 foot diameter. It continues to be a haven for wildlife, with rare bats, birds, fungi and insects taking up residence.
In a bid to bring blossom back to landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Trust has now vowed to plant four million blossoming trees as part of its commitment to plant and establish 20 million trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2030.
For more information or to make a donation towards the charity’s tree planting ambitions visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-watch
