SA 4 - Implement a traditional orchard mapping and monitoring programme for Herefordshire
- Code
- SA 4
- 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.
- 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 and nut trees planted on vigorous rootstocks at low-density in permanent grassland managed by low intensity grazing. Fruit trees include traditional varieties of perry pear, apple, plum and cherry. 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 ecological management and restoration are key to the ongoing existence of this unique habitat.
- Mapped
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No