SA 3 - Implement a traditional orchard mapping and monitoring programme for Herefordshire
- Supporting action
- Implement a traditional orchard mapping and monitoring programme for Herefordshire
- Description
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Traditional orchards are a priority habitat, with a national spatial dataset which is updated twice a year. This will be a key dataset to build on and inform with up-to-date identification of traditional orchards and to integrate monitoring for the county.
- Wider environmental benefits
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Reducing climate change impact Supporting health and cultural services 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.