Traditional Orchards
Orchards are an integral part of the traditional East Devon landscape. They are also a fantastic habitat for wildlife, especially orchards with old trees and those that are managed without pesticides. Birds such as Mistle thrushes, Goldfinches and Little owls will nest in holes in old trees, whilst Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Treecreepers and Flycatchers also like to visit, eating the invertebrates that abound in this habitat.
East Devon Orchard Heritage
East Devon was rich in orchards until decline set in around 100 years ago. Cider was crucial as an alternative to water for drinking. Cider vinegar was widely used for preserving foods. For both these reasons, orchards were essential to society and every farm could boast an orchard big enough to supply its own needs at least. In coastal areas, orchards were particularly common due to the recognition that ships' crews who had access to cider were less likely to fall victim to scurvy.
An intriguing document from 1757 gives us an insight into the quantity and quality of cider produced, when a set of questions were sent to the vicar in every parish in Devon. A copy of this document appeared in the Transactions of the Devonshire Association in 1900. Here are some of the answers:
"What sort of Apples are planted?"
Feniton: "What are called the South Ham Fruits, viz White Sour Baccamore, Kerling, Royal Wilding" , Seaton: "Long stemms, bitter galls, mediates and Jerseys", Sidbury: "Buckland Bitter, & Sour Jersey, & true Briton & Best Bearer"
"Is it remarkable for its goodness?"
Faringdon: "Very remarkable. Rough and Sweet." Gittisham: "Good masculine Cider rather of ye rough sort", Plymtree: "20 years since our Cider was not Esteemed good but is now equal to any that is made in this County, we have of ye best fruit and ye people who understand how to manage it".
Managing Old Orchards
If you are grazing the orchard with sheep or cattle, you will need to protect the tree bark from being chewed by placing guards around the trees. If you want to avoid having stock in your orchard at all, you could consider a hay cut followed by late summer mowing.
You may also need to prune trees if they haven't had any attention for a while. This will prevent branches getting too big and splitting out, leading to the loss of the tree.
You can retain heavily leaning fruit trees by propping them up with hardwood props and pruning a bit harder on leaning branches to reduce the weight.
Creating a New Orchard
Deep, fertile, free-draining soil on a sunny south facing slope is ideal. Make sure that you are not planting into a habitat that is already valuable for wildlife in its own right (such as a meadow or pasture that has never had fertiliser added).
Detailed information on planting can be got from suppliers and many other sources. Try to choose local varieties of apple. There are lots of sources of information to help you choose - try visiting Common Ground or Orchard Link.
Using the Produce
The reason we have lost so many orchards from the landscape is because the demand for apples and cider declined so dramatically. This is gradually improving with a higher demand for British produce, so you may be able to find a commercial outlet for your fruit. If not, you can use up much of the produce in making cider or apple juice. Presses are available from a number of suppliers and can sometimes be hired. If you are running a community apple event in East Devon, ring the Countryside Service on 01395 517557 or e-mail us and you may be able to borrow our apple press for free.
