Two new orchards are to be planted by the National Trust

Planting at Studland 21 January

Anybody interested in learning more about planting a traditional apple orchard is being invited to help the national Trust create a new orchard at Studland.

On Saturday (21 January) all comers are being invited to help create an orchard of traditional Dorset apple varieties alongside the main Studland to Swanage road. The planting takes place from 10am-2pm with all necessary materials supplied by the Trust.

The project is part of a nationwide initiative led by the National Trust and Natural England to re-establish orchards as wildlife habitats under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The new orchard will also provide a community resource for the area with space for leisure activities.

The Trust is also planting a new orchard at Shapwick, near Kingston Lacy on a former paddock which is no longer used for grazing.

The land will be planted with 200 fruit trees using a mixture of apple types specifically chosen for making cider and apple juice.

“It is a new venture for the Kingston Lacy estate to plant a commercial orchard,” explained Nigel Chalk, Countryside and Gardens Manager.

“We will be using the Isle of Wight pippin which is a good cider apple and James Grieve which is a dual purpose apple but good for juice. We will also install two beehives and some information panels to explain what is being done and hope to make the first harvest of apples in maybe four years time.”

The orchard has been made possible thanks to a £5,000 bequest to the Trust.

Last year, National Trust volunteers won the prestigious Marsh Heritage Award for their work revitalising Purbeck’s small scale orchards, many of which had fallen out of use, and reviving the art of cider making in the area.

The results – Old Volunteer Cider and Old Volunteer Apple Juice – are available from National Trust outlets in Corfe Castle and Studland.

If anybody is interested in helping to plant the orchard at Studland they can either turn up on Saturday morning or for more information call Ian Delbarre on 07990-565503.

For more information please contact:

Jon Bish, Communication Officer, 01929-452309

Nigel Chalk, Gardens and Countryside Manager, 01202 843010

Allan King, Communications Consultant, 01985 843592 / 07771 837988  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it