Monday, 13th September 2010
Mapledurham Playing Fields ~ Community Orchard

As part of the national campaign led by the National Trust and Natural England to protect existing and establish new orchards, an orchard has been planted at Mapledurham Playing Fields. Traditional orchards have long been regarded as havens for wildlife providing important habitat for native birds and insects, but in recent years many have been lost often to housing developments.

The Playing Fields which are owned by a charity and held in trust by Reading Borough Council, were chosen as the best location because the site is large enough to absorb the new orchard without compromising its current uses whilst enhancing its interest. It was also felt that the trees were less likely to be vandalised here than at other sites considered.

The trees were donated by Boehringer Ingelheim and on the 13th September employees from the company planted 56 apples (on M26 rootstock), 8 pears, 9 plums and 7 cherries, all container-grown, about 6 to 7ft in height.

The trees were been planted on a 6m grid, and will be managed traditionally with wildflower-rich long grass beneath.

It is hoped that the Friends of Mapledurham Playing Fields will play a significant part in the management of the orchard. Initially this will mainly be irrigation over the first two summers, while in the long term the main task will be pruning.

(A beautiful sky!)