{"id":15007,"date":"2022-03-24T07:02:43","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T06:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=111126"},"modified":"2022-03-24T07:30:17","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T06:30:17","slug":"orchards-more-than-halved-in-england-and-wales-since-1900s","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/orchards-more-than-halved-in-england-and-wales-since-1900s\/","title":{"rendered":"Orchards more than halved in England and Wales since 1900s"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 24 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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England and Wales have lost 56% of their overall orchards (modern and traditional) since 1900. Traditional orchards have been hit particularly hard, experiencing a decline of 81% \u2013 an area almost the size of the West Midlands.<\/p>\n

The research \u2013 <\/strong>revealed as the National Trust\u2019s #BlossomWatch<\/a> campaign gets underway this week \u2013 is the first comprehensive review of both traditional and modern orchards using artificial intelligence mapping technologies. Based on data from the\u00a0National Library of Scotland\u2019s historic map collection, People\u2019s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), and Natural England, the study aims to improve understanding of the historic loss of blossom across landscapes, and the impact on nature and wildlife.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsing cutting edge technology, we now have a much better understanding of how we\u2019ve managed landscapes in the past, which is invaluable when thinking about how to tackle the nature and biodiversity crisis that we are facing, and restoring nature,\u201d\u00a0said Tom Dommett, Head of Historic Environment at the National Trust.<\/p>\n

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The orchard at Standen in West Sussex\/Credit: National Trust Images, Andrew<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The loss of orchards across England and Wales has a huge impact of wildlife. \u201cTraditional orchards and the blossom they bring creates valuable early nectar sources for insects<\/a> which are often foraging for scarce resources in the early spring,\u201d said John Deakin, Head of Trees and Woodland at the National Trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese native, historic varieties, together with other trees like blackthorn<\/a> and hawthorn which also have amazing spring blossom, mature at a faster rate than other larger native species such as oak. They therefore provide an important bridge for insects that rely on their particular ecosystems which is one of the reasons why planting more blossom trees is such a vital part of our ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wildflowers growing under an apple tree in the Walled Garden at Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire\/Credit: National Trust Images, Justin Minns<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Passionate about bringing blossom back to landscapes in the UK, the National Trust has pledged to plant four million blossoming trees as part of its commitment to plant and establish 20 million trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2030.<\/p>\n

The charity is also planting new traditional orchards at a number of sites, including Stourhead in Wiltshire, Arlington Court in Devon, Kingston Lacy in Dorset, Brockhampton in Herefordshire, Attingham Park in Shropshire and Westhumble in Surrey.<\/p>\n

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