Habitats

Traditional Orchards

Traditional orchards are low-density plantings of fruit trees such as apples, pears and plums on vigorous rootstocks, set within permanent grassland managed at low intensity. Some sites also include nut-bearing shrubs such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Although less extensive than in neighbouring Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, Warwickshire retains an important area of this habitat, particularly in the Stratford-on-Avon District.

These orchards are valuable for conserving genetic diversity, supporting rare local fruit varieties such as the Wyken Pippin apple and the Warwickshire Drooper plum. South Warwickshire also has a long tradition, dating back to the 1100s, of producing a cider known as Crab John from a mixture of hard pear and apple juice.

Traditional orchards have high ecological value. Spring blossom supports pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Buds, leaves and fruit provide food for birds including Bullfinch, Fieldfare and Redwing, while old and dying trees offer nesting sites for species such as lesser spotted woodpecker and support a diverse range of fungi.

Mature and dead wood is vital for saproxylic invertebrates, including the rare red-belted clearwing moth and the UK BAP Priority Species noble chafer, which is classed as vulnerable. Orchard foliage also supports insectivorous birds and scarce moths. In addition, traditional orchards are an important local habitat for mistletoe, which in turn supports several scarce insect species.

Four traditional orchards have been designated as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS): Kingsway Orchard at Binley, Portobello Crossroads Orchard on the Fosse Way and Mount Pleasant Orchard and Blackwell Bushes at Shipston-on-Stour.

Apart from the management and restoration of old orchards, the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan also has the aim of expanding the extent of the habitat of new ‘standard’ orchards. Community orchards often contribute to this ambition.