BASIC TRADITIONAL ORCHARD MANAGEMENT PLAN
ON BEHALF OF
KENT ORCHARDS FOR EVERYONE PROJECT
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Contents
Page
1. Introduction
4
2. Approach to Management
5
3. Work Plan
6
3.1 The Cherry Year
3.2 The Work Plan
3.2.1 Planting, Surveying and Replacing Dead or
Damaged Trees
3.2.2 Tree Management
3.2.3 Grass Sward
3.2.4 Nutrition of Trees
3.2.5 Fruit Harvesting
3.2.6 Pest and Disease Management
3.2.7 Management Records
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10
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12
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4. Orchard Ecology
4.1 Baseline Survey
4.2 Specialist Surveys
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13
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5. Access to the Orchard
14
6. Further Help
15
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Figures
1. Orchard Fencing
Page
4
2. Orchard in Bloom
4
3. Cherry Blossom
6
4. Fruit on the bough
6
5. Planting Trees
9
6. Protecting Trees from Sheep
10
7. Grazing during the Winter Months
11
8. Harvested Fruit and Menu
12
9. Surveying Work
13
10. Interpretation in New House Orchard
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Diagrams
1. Traditional Orchard : Schematic Plan
5
Tables
1. Community Orchard : Annual Orchard Tasks
7
2. Tree Health Scoring System
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3. Variety Choice
9
4. Community Events and Work Parties
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1. Introduction:
This traditional orchard is a typical traditional cherry/apple/pear/plum plantation with a
planting scheme commonly used in the 1940s and 1950s. Its location is well placed being
adjacent to public roads and on the edge of the village of x. There is easy access to the
nearby village hall. The trees are estimated to have been planted in this era at a spacing of
20ft apart with the aim of thinning trees in two stages to give a final spacing of 40ft square.
Trees appear to have been “staddle worked” onto a x rootstock.
Fig.1: A Traditional Orchard
Fig. 2: A Traditional Orchard in Bloom
The soil in the orchard is a typical x soil and very suitable for fruit production. The whole of
the East Kent sweet cherry production area was founded on these paleo-argillic brick earth
soil deep soils. The surviving trees are still viable in many cases although there may be
several dead trees that must be removed and replaced. There are however significant gaps
where dead trees have been removed in the past. The orchard is likely to contain at least 12
varieties if stone fruit and two if top fruit. These will be arranged to give optimum
pollination rather than to provide ease of harvesting. The varieties will give a range of
harvest seasons and will probably start with the early variety Early Rivers for cherries,
Worcester and Bramley if apples, Williams Bon Chretien and Greengages or Opal if plum.
The orchard may be grassed down and have been grazed with sheep. The boundary fences
maybe in need of repair or renewal. The boundary of key importance initially is to the south
of the orchard. Part of the orchard will have a number of bee hives.
Since the orchard is designated as a community orchard, the initial interest of the local
village was been evident to those members of the community who were aware of its
existence.
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2. Approach to Management:
Much of the removal of dead trees must be carried out regularly over the next few years
leaving 25% dead wood for biodiversity. This may have left the orchard with a considerable
number of tree gaps. The main land use maybe sheep grazing. There is scope for planting
within the gaps which have been left from clearing and renewing the original planting plan.
The boundary fences need to be assessed. The northern boundary would provide an
opportunity to establish a mixed fruit hedge that would improve the shelter to the orchard
and create interest for the community whilst increasing the range of habitats available if
required.
Diag.1: X Orchard: Schematic Plan (Not to Scale)
N
Community Area
Bee
Hives
Road
B
B
Area with
fewer trees
surviving
Entrance
Gate
Village
Road
The traditional orchard should continue to be grazed by sheep as the most appropriate form
of grass management for traditional orchards. Dead trees should be removed gradually
over the next 3 to 4 years to provide a phased renewal of the plantation. The remaining
trees should be pruned to remove dead branches. The wood removed as dead trees or
prunings should be used to:
1. create insect banks/habitat piles, with a target of four within the orchard
2. provide the opportunity to sell wood to local craftsmen
3. provide wood for domestic fuel
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Options two and three could provide additional income streams to fund work undertaken
and make the orchard more sustainable. There should be an area of bee hives in view of the
threats currently posed to bee populations and for pollination of the orchard. One main
area should be identified for community use within the orchard. The boundaries need to
offer wind protection and may benefit from some planting of new plants.
3. Work Plan:
3.1 The Fruit Year
Fig. 3: Cherry Blossom
Cherries, apples, pears and plums are usually
fully dormant in December and January.
Depending upon weather conditions trees
begin to move out of dormancy in February
with bud burst occurring in mid to late March
and the white buds of new flowers emerging in
late March and early April. Flowering will take
place from mid-April with later varieties
extending into late May in some seasons. The
exact time of flowering is very dependent on
both weather conditions and variety, with
some varieties being very early in flowering,
others much later. Usually early flowering
varieties also have fruit that matures early
although this is not always the case. Different
varieties, flowering at the same time, are
required to ensure cross pollination since some varieties of fruit are self-fertile. From May
to June the fruit develops and increases in size until it reaches maturity and can be
harvested.
Fig. 4: Fruit on the Bough
Fruit can be picked from mid-June to early August
depending on variety. Each variety can be picked
over a 7 to 10 day period with a sequence of
varieties planted to ensure that fruit can be picked
over the whole 5 to 7 week season. In traditional
orchards it is rare to have less than 5 varieties
within one orchard so that cross pollination
requirements are met and a sequence of picking
can provide a long season.
Fruit trees begin to lose leaf towards the end of
October and leaf fall continues through November.
With the final leaf fall trees are again dormant for
the winter period.
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Table 1: Community Orchard: Annual Orchard Tasks
Month
Tree Growth Stage
January
Dormant
February
Semi-Dormant
March
Bud burst
April
Flowering
May
Fruit swelling
Shoot development
June
July
Shoot growth
Fruit maturity
Fruit maturity
August
Shoot growth stops
September
Leaf senescence
October
First leaf fall
November
Leaf Fall
December
Dormant
Task
Pruning top fruit.
Order any replacement trees needed
for autumn planting
Grafting replacement trees or into
existing trees for top fruit
Check tree stakes and guards renew
and reposition as required.
Collect fallen branches
Pruning can start immediately after
flowering for stone fruit
Remove any sheep from orchard
Pruning for stone fruit completed by
end of month
Start annual orchard survey
Mow grass before harvesting
First picking
Fruit harvesting
Budding and grafting of new trees for
stone fruit and top fruit
Prune out any branches damaged
during picking.
Budding and grafting of new trees for
stone fruit and top fruit
Last time for budding and grafting of
new trees for stone fruit
Sheep can be reintroduced after picking
completed
Begin to clear dead wood leave 25%
behind for invertebrates
Pruning can begin for top fruit. Planting
new trees if available otherwise delay
until March
Pruning can continue on top fruit
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3.2 The Work Plan:
3.2.1 Planting, Surveying and Replacing Dead or Damaged Trees
In late May or early June the orchard should be surveyed and the number of dead and partly
dead trees recorded. The health of trees can be recorded using the following simple score
system:
Table 2: Tree Health Scoring System
Score
Description
0
Tree completely dead no signs of life
1
Tree life present but more than half the tree with dead major branches
2
Between 50 and 75% of tree growing but with significant dead shoots
and branches present
3
More than 80% of tree healthy with new growth being produced, few or
no dead branches visible
Each season a number of the completely dead trees within the orchards should be removed.
An objective would be to replace one fifth of completely dead trees from the first survey
(score 0) each year. Inevitably further trees or significant parts of trees will die over this five
year period and would contribute to the desired level of dead wood within the orchard.
Tree removal can be achieved mechanically by using tractor power to winch out the tree or
by chain saw cutting the tree down in several stages. It is essential that at least some of the
dead tree material is retained to provide habitats, especially for invertebrates. The target is
for up to 25% of dead wood in the orchard but this can take the form of both dead trees and
dead branches within trees that are retained. Dead trees provide habitat for wildlife and
would be a typical feature of traditional orchards.
Within two years of the removal of a dead tree a replacement new tree should be planted
to ensure the continuing viability of the orchard. It is essential to arrange for new trees at
least one year in advance of being needed. Trees can be ordered from professional
nurseries or produced by the community orchard group by grafting. If the group will be
grafting then the rootstock needs to be ordered well in advance – at least 6 months – as
relatively small numbers of the vigorous rootstocks needed for a traditional orchard are
produced each season.
All new trees planted should be propagated on a vigorous rootstock. The most commonly
available at the present time is Prunus avium F12/1, a Mazzard stock. The varieties chosen
to be worked on these stocks should reflect the choice available in the 1940s and are listed
in table 3.
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Table 3: Variety Choice. (listed in ripening season groups)
Early Season
Mid Season
Late Season
It is essential to plan ahead for new tree planting and to decide whether trees will be
propagated locally by grafting or ordered from a specialist nursery. Orders for either the
rootstocks or trees should be placed 6 months to one year before they are needed as there
are limited numbers produced by nurseries. The objective should be to plant each season
for five years, one fifth of the number of trees required to fill gaps and replace dead trees
that have been removed. This is important in achieving a balance of tree age within the
orchard and to provide for its longer term future.
Fig 3. Planting Trees
New trees should be planted
each February or March to
replace those lost and bring and
maintain a balance of tree ages
into the orchard. Prepare a
planting hole sufficiently large to
accommodate the root system of
the tree to be planted without
the roots being curled around
the hole. The base of the hole
should be lightly forked to
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loosen any compaction. Incorporate compost in the bottom of the hole and also spread
compost onto the back fill. Place the tree into the hole and refill, shaking the tree gently as
you do so to ensure soil is in contact with the roots. Firm the soil in the planting position.
Approximately ten litres of compost per tree is required. This can be composted green
waste or a proprietary tree planting or soil conditioning compost.
Immediately after planting a stake should be driven into the ground on the leeward side of
the tree, to which the tree is tied with a recommended tree tie that will not damage the
trunk. A wire or plastic guard to protect against rabbit predation should also be secured
immediately after planting. Trees are incompatible with animals such as sheep for at least
ten years unless good protection is provided. Livestock will either try to rub against the tree
and push it over or eat the leaves and shoots. To protect against sheep damage erect two
chestnut stakes either side of the tree about 300mm from the trunk. Staple to each stake a
circle of weld mesh which stands about 1200mm high, this should be of sufficient strength
to deter sheep from damaging the trees. A one metre circle around the tree should be
mulched with either straw or composted green waste, to help retain moisture and reduce
weed competition. Farmyard manure can also be used provided that it is well rotted.
Fig. 4: Protecting Trees from Sheep
3.2.2 Tree Management
The existing trees within the orchard that have less
than one third of dead branches within the tree
should be pruned to remove dead branches. The
orchard should be divided into five equal areas with
the aim of pruning one area in each of the next five
years. This will ensure that the task of pruning is
more easily achievable. The number of cuts should
be restricted to three per year per tree so as to
ensure trees do not receive too great a stimulus to
produce excessive vegetative growth. It is best to use
a pruning saw for this type of work. More detailed
pruning of tree, with secateurs cutting out smaller
shoots is not appropriate in this situation. Pruning
should NOT be carried out during the dormant season
but just after flowering. This will enable wounds to
heal and callus over rapidly and naturally, thus
reducing risk of infection from the two principle
diseases of sweet cherry, silver leaf and bacterial
canker. These diseases get into a tree most easily
through open wounds, therefore pruning when the
tree is in growth offers the best chance for wounds to
heal rapidly rather than remaining open. After
pruning is completed each season it will be necessary
to pulverise smaller prunings left after larger branches have been collected. This will assist
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is subsequent mowing operations, sheep grazing and reduce trip hazards at community
events.
3.2.3 Grass Sward
Fig. 7: Grazing during the Winter Months
The most appropriate management for the grass within the orchard is grazing by sheep. It
would be necessary for sheep to be removed from the orchard just after flowering to enable
the flora to express itself and for ease of access for picking at a later date. In addition to
grazing the grass should be mown later on in the season, around late July to facilitate access
for fruit harvesting or for community events depending upon the success of grazing by
sheep. Closer mowing of “rides” through the orchard and of the community areas will be
required to make community access safer. Significant areas of nettle and thistle have
colonised the grass and whilst some areas are helpful in conservation of insects larger areas
maybe in danger of becoming too large affecting grazing and access. Spot treatment of
some nettle and thistle patches with an approved herbicide will be required initially to
prevent the spread of these areas within the orchard. It would be best to treat the
regrowth following mowing. Treatment may be required for two seasons to achieve
control.
3.2.4 Nutrition of Trees
Although the soils in this orchard are naturally highly fertile it is likely that after a prolonged
period of orchard growth some nutrients may be limited and availability to the trees low.
The establishment of a regular grazing regime will help to introduce fertility to the soil. Soil
and leaf tissue samples should be collected for laboratory analysis in 2010. The results of
this analysis should be used to devise any manuring programme that may be required.
Thereafter analysis would only be required every 5 to 7 years.
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3.2.5 Fruit Harvesting
Fig. 8: Harvested Fruit and Menu
Serious consideration should be
given to whether fruit can be
harvested and utilised by fresh
sales or by the local community.
Generally, regular harvesting of
fruit encourages balanced growth
within the tree. Failure to
remove fruit at harvest can lead
to diseases building up, but more
importantly, can result in tree
growth losing vigour. Regular
harvesting would encourage tree growth. There are a
number of options to utilise the fruit from the
orchard. Weekend direct sales to the public over 3 or
4 weekends can be successful. Whilst pick your own
sales can be attractive they do pose health and safety
issues that would need discussed and addressed.
Fruit can be harvested and sold to local retailers,
processors or merchants. Fruit can be used to
stimulate home preservation in various forms
possibly with a local competition. The potential of
integrating the produce from this orchard with others
in the Kent Downs area for co-operative marketing
should be investigated.
3.2.6 Pest and Disease Management
With the present condition of the orchard and its entry into the Environmental Stewardship
Scheme the use of a programme of organic crop protection would not be appropriate. Any
fungicides approved for organic growing such as copper would present difficulties for sheep
grazing the orchard grass. Insect pests, whilst reducing tree growth and damaging fruits in
some cases, rarely threaten the life of the tree and therefore control measures would not
be cost effective to use in this situation.
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3.2.7 Management Records
A diary of management of the orchard including key dates, such as dates of introduction and
withdrawal of sheep together with other cultural operations and community events should
be kept. This will create a database to inform future decisions.
4. Orchard Ecology:
This orchard presents considerable scope to survey and observe the natural ecology of an
orchard. Work on birds, fungi, lichen and insect life looking at the tree, grass and soil as
habitats would be valuable and interesting. Every encouragement should be given to
retaining the bee hives within the orchard both for pollination purposes but also to assist in
rebuilding populations of bee. An increase in hive numbers would be helpful in this respect.
Consideration should also be given to recreating refuges for invertebrates and other ways of
encouraging wildlife in the orchard. This may include under sowing hedges and boundaries
with appropriate plant species.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan now has traditional orchards listed as Priority Habitats. The
orchard provides an ideal location to undertake of number of potential surveys that would
record the biodiversity of the orchard and how it changes over time.
4.1. Baseline Survey
A basic biodiversity survey to provide a baseline against which the progress in future years
could be compared should be instigated by developing a community naturalist history
group.
4.2. Specialist Surveys
Other potential surveys include; lichen, insects, butterfly and moth surveys. Surveys of
sample areas of sward would also be useful measures of biodiversity.
The aim over the next five years should be to establish a base survey of the orchard and
annual updates together with a means of encouraging interested individuals or groups
Fig. 9: Surveying Work
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including the local school – to undertake other surveys of a more ad hoc nature. These
surveys could be linked with various walks and events such as a bat walk, moth trapping,
butterfly survey etc.
5. Access to the Orchard:
A system of co-ordination between the community and the Parish Council must be
established to facilitate access to the orchard and the effective use of this valuable
biodiversity asset. The aim over the next 10 years should be to establish an effective
community action group, hold 2 to 3 work parties each season to help maintain the orchard
and its community links and hold at least 2 community social events.
Table 4: Community Events and Work Parties
Community Work Parties
Season
Event
Spring Work
Orchard tidy; check stakes; ties and guards; planting
July - September
Cherry and plum picking, pruning, grafting and budding
September/October
Apple and Pear picking
Winter
Pruning of top fruit and clearing dead wood
Possible Community Events
Season
Event
January
Wassailing
April
Blossom Festival
July
Cherry Ripe: Celebration of cherry day including music and
treats
Any time in summer
Bat Walk
Dawn Chorus Walk
September / October
Autumn fruit festival
October
Fungi Walk
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Fig. 10: Interpretation in
a traditional cherry
orchard
Interpretation of the
importance of cherry
orchards for biodiversity
and their part in the rural
history of the area should
be included and would be
particularly valuable in
this location with its
proximity to a bridleway
that is reasonably well
used by local people and
others. This should focus
on the three aspects of
cherry orchards; their social history, the growing cycle and the biodiversity they contain.
The orchard is a valuable resource for education and links must be developed with the local
school to encourage their use of the site. The orchard can contribute to various aspects of
the curriculum such as science, food and health and social history.
6. Further Help:
For further resources check out the advice section on the website www.kentorchards.org.uk
Guidance notes on planning an orchard, restoration methods and grafting, pruning and
budding techniques are also available from the Mid Kent Downs Countryside Partnership as
part of the Mid Kent Downs Orchards Project.
http://www.midkentdowns.org.uk/publications.php
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have produced a Land Managers Pack
which will guide you through the management of orchards, this is available through their
website:
http://www.kentdowns.org.uk/guidance-management-and-advice/land-managers-pack
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