Orchards form part of our traditional heritage in the South West of England, often dating back over 200 years. Until recently, most farm holdings would have had a mixed orchard of apple, cherry, cider apple, pear, plum, quince and medlar trees protected by hedges where lambing could take place and bees could be kept.

Apple varieties were much localised, with charming names such as Pigs Snout, Manaccan Primrose and Cornish Gillyflower. Sadly, over the years, many orchards have fallen into disrepair and abandonment, taking with it a loss of vital habitats for numerous species as well as a distinctive part of the West Country landscape character.

However, Natural England has recognised the importance of these traditional orchards and has incorporated various options that can be utilised to get these unique features, restored, replanted and in positive management once again, depending on the needs of the orchard in question.

Under the Higher Level Scheme there are payments of £250/ha/year for the maintenance or restoration of traditional orchards. These are aimed at existing orchards that are of high landscape, historical or wildlife value that are no longer managed primarily for fruit production.

Maintenance is for existing traditional orchards that are generally in good condition, with at least two thirds of the area occupied by trees and less than 25 per cent of these requiring restorative pruning, whilst the restoration option is aimed at restoring neglected orchards.

Under either option, management must include several features. For example, all mature trees should be protected and maintained. This is to help the biodiversity, as older wood can be home to hole nesting birds, such as blue tits, while the lichens growing on the trunk provide food and home for a whole array of insects and invertebrates. The sward should be grazed or cut for hay to benefit the birds and insects. Often the grassland under the trees is unimproved and full of old grasses and wild flowers, such as cowslips and primroses, and the dead wood should be left, both in the standing tree and maybe piled up to benefit the invertebrates and fungi that rely on decaying wood to survive.

The restoration option requires further management to be carried out. For example, any restorative pruning must take place. This will open up the canopy and reduce the risk of pathogens and produce larger, better quality fruit. Overcrowded bushy growth results in a micro-climate that allows disease to thrive.

In addition to the above options, there is also an option to apply for funding of £95/ha/year for the maintenance of traditional orchards that are in production. These orchards contribute to the landscape character of the area and are primarily managed for the commercial production of fruit. In this option, Natural England are looking for the traditional shape of the trees to be maintained, to protect the trees from livestock and to control specific pests and diseases If you have no orchard on your farm, but there was an orchard there in the past, there is the option to create a traditional Orchard, for which payments of £190/ha/year are available. This is quite a flexible option and can be used for new traditional orchards that have been recently planted or even extending the area of orchard habitat adjacent to sites known to support threatened species.

In addition to the above payments capital items such as fencing trees and protective guards can be funded. With £17 each for planting traditional trees, £30 for the identification of fruit trees and £17/tree for pruning, plus £36 for a cattle proof tree guard and £32 for a sheep proof one the sums can add up to a significant grant.

However, one must remember that newly established trees will require regular watering and mulching to keep the young plants free from competitive vegetation. Protection from rabbits is essential as is the correct formative pruning and choice of variety.

It should be noted that any of these options are only available when part of a comprehensive HLS application covering many other habitat types on the farm and at the discretion of the Natural England officer.

FWAG has a wealth of experience of helping farmers choose the right options for Stewardship and gaining successful applications. FWAG is an independent charitable organisation with a strong membership base and preferential rates are available to members. There are regular FWAG events and workshops, with orchard training days being held every winter throughout the region. For further advice and information, FWAG can be contacted on 01872 323600