PM 12 - Create more high quality traditional orchards
- Code
- PM 12
- Measure
- Create more high quality traditional orchards
- Description
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Many of Herefordshire’s traditional orchards have been lost in recent decades and so planting new orchards using traditional methods is key to the longevity and resilience of this habitat. Traditional fruit varieties should be selected for heritage value as available through the Marcher Apple Network. Tree planting should be at low intensity and ideally species-rich grassland and hedgerows should be incorporated into the orchard design. Orchards developed and supported by local communities are often very successful.
- Wider environmental benefits
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Increasing woodland cover Improving air quality Reducing climate change impact Supporting health and cultural services Improving soil health Promoting nature friendly farming Supporting food provision
- Links to additional information and guidance
- Priority
- Traditional orchards are more extensive, and existing ones are well-managed and restored
- Priority description
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Traditional orchards are a pivotal feature in Herefordshire, consisting of groups of fruit trees planted at low-density, and typically traditionally managed with low-intensity methods, such as grazing. Fruit trees include traditional varieties of perry pear, apple, plum and cherry which are grazed to maintain diverse grasslands beneath the trees, such as wood meadows, and allowing light to reach trunks for lichen and invertebrates to thrive. They exist in small and isolated pockets across Herefordshire and can be threatened by lack of sustainable management leading to the collapse of trees from age, excessive mistletoe burden, grazing damage and storms as well as conversion to more profitable land uses, including development. Thus, their management and restoration are key to the ongoing existence of this unique habitat.