Orchards
Trees, heavily laden with their crops, were once a familiar sight during harvest time in the Tamar Valley.
Each parish, and indeed individual orchards, cultivated their own apple varieties with distinct flavours, names and colours. Sadly, after years of neglect and competition from commerical fruit production at home and abroad, the market gardening industry of the Tamar Valley fell into decline - along with the once flourishing orchards.
'Colloggett Pippin...Tommy Knight...‘Hocking’s Green'
Today, the AONB, Mining Heritage Project and The National Trust work together with local enthusiasts to preserve and restore some of the unique varieties in existing and new orchards.
The Mother Orchard
Mary Martin and James Evans are well-known in the Valley as local heroes in the ressurection of local fruit varieties. The couple have championed the restoration of orchards and, with their dedicated research, have helped create a new orchard based at The National Trust's Cotehele Estate.
The Mother Orchard covers eight-acres and is planted with 300 trees representing 120 apple varieties, all propagated from Mary and James’ collection by the Trust’s Plant Conservation Programme. Local cherries have also been planted, and pears and plums will follow in a second phase.
A staggering 95 per cent of orchards have disappeared nationwide since 1950, and along with them rich ecosystems, precious genetic material, and tangible links to our past.
Cotehele is also home to a much older orchard, where you can often see misteltoe hanging from the branches of its trees.
Morwellham Heritage Orchard
A new orchard was planted with many local varieties in 2008.
Tavistock College Odyssey Orchard
Tavistock College students have been helping to save local fruit tree varieties from extinction by planting apple trees in the school grounds.
Year 8 students planted trees in their ‘Odyssey Orchard’ in November 2009, during a special ceremony with the town’s Mayor, Mandy Govier, and Geoffrey Cox MP.
The project has been helped by the Tamar Valley AONB, West Devon Borough Council and Endlseigh Nurseries.
The students have planted 22 trees, along with around a thousand daffodil bulbs. The students will care for their own trees and harvest the apples for use in the Refectory and to be eaten by the tutor groups which have tended them.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!
We are looking for volunteers to help with a Valley-wide Orchard Survey, which will help with future conservation and restoration of these juicy assets! No prior knowledge or experience is needed. For more information and an informal chat, please contact emetson@tamarvalley.org.uk or call Eloise on 01822 835036.
Site Search: