The Orchard
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The Orchard is in the Stockwood Open Space, at the foot of the hill down from the Stockwood Road entrance, stretching north and east from the picnic bench.
By summer 2010, it was almost entirely inaccessible, but volunteers from FoSOS and the Wildlife Trust have been clearing the brambles and other undergrowth and opening up new paths. We've rediscovered loads of trees (50 apples just in the strip running north from the picnic table). There are lots more in an arc to the right (east) of those, in an area that's so far only been partially cleared. There are two schools of thought about the orchard's origins. |
Most think it was part of the farm before it was bought up by compulsory purchase for housing, then this part got used first for landfill, then left to nature. Oddly, the trees seem to have survived the landfill operation. Another equally odd explanation is that there were enough fruit pips in the landfill to trigger this orchard as chance growth.
Whilst the Open Space is part of a Local Nature Reserve, belongs to the city council, and is part-managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust, the Friends of Stockwood Open Spaces have been given a reasonably free rein to restore and manage the orchard. For the past few years, FoSOS has gathered apples from the orchard for an October 'Apple Day' at the shops when we produce fresh apple juice using our press. |
Pruning Days:
The Open Space orchard has been a training ground for FoSOS and Wildlife Trust volunteers. Latest session on February 11 2020. Many thanks to the Wildlife Trust for making it happen.
Pruning and thinning has now ended, in anticipation of the nesting season. More of the orchard's been 'opened up' - but there's plenty of work left for next year, and a whole new section of orchard to uncover to the east!
The Open Space orchard has been a training ground for FoSOS and Wildlife Trust volunteers. Latest session on February 11 2020. Many thanks to the Wildlife Trust for making it happen.
Pruning and thinning has now ended, in anticipation of the nesting season. More of the orchard's been 'opened up' - but there's plenty of work left for next year, and a whole new section of orchard to uncover to the east!