Orchard Network

A habitat mosaic

Traditional Orchards have been among the chief beauties in the English landscape for many centuries and hold a special place in people's affections. They are hotspots for biodiversity in the countryside, supporting a wide range of wildlife. The combination of fruit trees, the grassland floor, hedgerow boundaries and scrub, fallen and standing deadwood and associated features such as ponds and streams mean that Traditional Orchards offer a mosaic of different habitats, which many creatures depend on.

Character

Traditional Orchards can occur on a wide range of soil types from slightly acid, relatively infertile soils to fertile river floodplain soils and lime rich soils. Orchards can be found on slopes ranging from steep to level, and with any aspect. Each Traditional Orchard has its own characteristics and unique set of features, and so different orchards have particular biodiversity value for different groups. For example, a wonderfully diverse grassland will be a feature of one orchard, 'deadwood' invertebrates in another.

Traditional Orchards make a significant contribution to 'Landscape Character' in many regions; the cider orchards of the West Country, for example, or the dessert fruit orchards and cobnut plats of Kent. The many regional variations in fruit and tree form give unique character to the landscape - Common Ground termed the phrase 'Local Distinctiveness' which applies perfectly to Traditional Orchards.

Dynamic habitats

Traditional Orchards are dynamic habitats; the habitat they provide for certain creatures will change with the age and spatial structure of the orchard trees. Therefore in order to provide continuity of habitat for long-term conservation, trees are needed at all stages of growth, wither within one orchard or as a series of orchards in the landscape.

Downloads

Guide to orchard management for wildlife (PDF) - produced by PTES

Orchards and wildlife - (PDF) produced by Natural England

National Links

Full list of species associated with Traditional Orchards - Natural England

Find out more about Landscape Character - Natural England

Common Ground - read about local distinctiveness

Image: NTPL/Jonathan Buckley