Orchard Workshop - Formative pruning and young tree care

The Severn Treescapes Project has teamed up with the Wye Valley National Landscape to run a series of workshops to increase confidence among landowners to plant and look after traditional orchards and fruit trees.

Being a dual purpose land use, orchards can provide a vertical farming element to traditional farming and ultimately provide a new income from the fruit, as well as providing a fabulous habitat for a huge range of wildlife and beneficial insects. This series of workshops looks to provide information, education and confidence to enable participants to manage their orchards successfully.

Orchards are iconic features in the Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire landscape, but have declined by at least 75 % in the last 50 yrs. The drive to plant new and restore old traditional orchards will help to reverse the decline of this priority habitat and of the wildlife that depends on it.

Well managed orchards create an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the wildlife potential in the vicinity. Orchards provide excellent feeding habitat for birds, bats and invertebrates, and where adjacent to strong mature hedgerow networks radiating towards nearby mature woodlands, unimproved grasslands and other orchards, increase connectivity across the wider landscape.

Tim Andrews of Orchard Revival, and Gloucestershire Orchard Trust expert, will by running the workshop. He has many years of experience planting and managing orchards in Gloucestershire and making cider from the produce.

The workshop will teach participants how to prune young trees safely, looking at different fruit types and varieties, and how to manage the trees to reach their full potential.

Questions and discussion are encouraged throughout the day.

The day includes a strong element of practical work. Stout boots and good outdoor clothing are essential as much of the day will be spent enjoying the elements.

All equipment will be provided.

Bring your own packed lunch, hot drinks are provided.

Host or Publisher Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust