Orchard in spring © PTES

What are Traditional Orchards?

Traditional orchards are cultivated using low-intensity methods. This generally means that synthetic pesticides and herbicides are not used, and alternative methods of grassland management such as the use of grazing animals instead of mechanical mowing methods.

Why are they important and what’s happening to them now? Traditionally managed orchards are important for both Gwent’s culture and wildlife. Gwent was once renowned for its orchards with over 60% of the orchard fruit grown in Wales harvested here. Our ciders and perries were once famous, and Gwent was recognised as a fruit growing region on a par with Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Kent.

Traditional orchards are now a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat and support many priority species. They form an important ‘layering’ of habitats with both a tree canopy and a meadow component, and often have other important habitats such as hedgerows associated with them. This diversity of habitats means that many species of plant and animal can be supported. Many important species are found in orchards, for example mistletoe and the extremely rare noble chafer beetle.

One of the most important features of an orchard is that it is an example of when farming can exist in harmony with nature, so long as the orchard is managed traditionally and sympathetically for wildlife. Unfortunately traditional orchards are now under threat due to development and intensification. As much as 90% of Gwent’s orchards have been lost in recent times meaning the loss of local fruit varieties as well as the habitat which wildlife depends upon.

Many of the few remaining orchards left in Gwent are managed intensively, with high yielding, non-traditional fruit varities preferred over the use of traditional local varieties. Non-traditional management can also mean the use of pesticides, herbicides and mechanical mowing which will have detrimental effects on the wildlife.

This project The Perllannau Gwent / Gwent Orchards Project aims to increase awareness of the importance of orchards and highlight their significance in Gwent’s cultural and natural heritage. We also want to help provide resources and advice to orchard owners so that they can continue to or begin to manage their orchards traditionally, with an emphasis on using local fruit varieties to Gwent.

Schools, community groups and individuals who want to plant new orchards will also receive advice and support. We will also be organising events and activities that celebrate orchards and help people learn more about them.

Blossom © Sorrel Jones

Volunteers needed!

As part of Perllannau Gwent / Gwent Orchard Project, Gwent Wildlife Trust intend to survey as many of the orchards in Gwent as we can, and in order to achieve this mammoth task, we are urgently seeking volunteers to help us. Volunteers will not need any special biological knowledge, as all training will be provided before surveying begins. All we require is that you have enthusiasm!

If you would like to be involved in this project, or would like to request further information, please contact Alice Britt, the Perllannau Gwent / Gwent Orchard Project officer on abritt@gwentwildlife.org or 01600 740600.