Community Scattered Orchards
Aims of the project – Why an orchard?
The vision
An orchard is a long-term asset to Woodbridge. With good annual maintenance an orchard lasts for decades. In the longer term, it forms part of a larger network of community-run orchards and biodiverse spaces across Woodbridge that produce food. Each open space offers a different experience or opportunity to learn new skills. With various food-focused events throughout the year such as Apple Day, outdoor plays or picnics, pruning and preserving courses, the orchard forms a new focal point where residents can come together.
A place for people
An orchard provides a green space for contemplation, celebration and peace. Trees are good for people and an orchard has a particular sense of permanence. The Community Orchard is open to everyone and provides residents with a quiet place to come and sit.
Reconnection to the natural world
Productive trees are an obvious connection to the land that grows our food and to the plants that purify our air and help control our climate. Mature and lightly used orchards can be good shelters for wildlife.
A base for sharing knowledge and skills
An orchard is an excellent base for re-learning skills of planting, pruning and maintenance of fruit trees. It provides a permanent outdoor venue where both adults and children learn more about fruit growing, wildlife and conservation.
Production of truly local food
An orchard will provide minimal calories but maximum opportunities for increasing knowledge and understanding our food supply. The use of heritage and local varieties will help maintain fruit biodiversity.
Orchard sites planted so far
Morley Avenue, Woodbridge
In November 2015, with the help of Woodbridge in Bloom, we planted two greengages, gooseberries (donated by High House Fruit Farm, Sudbourne) and other berries by the side of the wall with the Cherry Tree Pub. A cherry and an apple (Sunset) have been added in subsequent years.
Beresford Drive, Woodbridge
In November 2015, we have prepared and planted three fruit trees, two apples (Bountiful and Russet) and a pear (Beurre Hardy) on espalier posts and lines. A further 3 apple trees (Lady Henniker, Golden Noble, Norfolk Russet) and a pear (Comice) were planted in 2016. Gooseberry bushes donated by High House Fruit Farm, Sudbourne were initially planted between the trees until the trees had grown and have been moved to other sites to allow all the fruit trees to flourish.
Peterhouse Crescent, Woodbridge
3 apples (Sunrise, Gascoyne Scarlet, Scruptious) and 2 pears (Robin, Sensation) were planted in January 2018. Dead (due to drought?) pear (Robin) replaced with pear (Clapp’s Favourite) in January 2023.
Queens Avenue, Woodbridge
In February 2019, 3 plums (Verity, Blue Rock and Marjorie’s Seedling) were planted by enthusiastic volunteers in the triangle on Queens Avenue. The trees were donated by Deben Rotary
Balliol Close, Woodbridge
3 pears (Doyenne du Comice, Belle Guerandais, Concorde) were planted in March 2019 The trees were donated by Deben Rotary. Belle Guerandais pear replaced with Highland January 2020.
Christchurch Drive, Woodbridge
A pear (Durondeau) was planted in March 2019 that had been donated by Deben Rotary.
Seckford Hall Road, Woodbridge
3 greengages (Reine Claude, Stella’s Star, Transparent) were planted in February 2019. The trees were donated by Deben Rotary. Replacement Early Transparent January 2023.
Through Duncans
Two apple trees (Charles Ross, Rosy Blenheim) donated by Woodbridge Rotary planted December 2019.
Fen Meadow
5 apple (Charles Ross, Jupiter, Nutmeg Pippin, Suntan, Harling Hero) trees were planted just before lockdown in March 2020 donated by Woodbridge Rotary
Westholme Close
1 apple (Thorpeness) and 1 plum planted April 2021 with help from Woodbridge Scouts and residents donated by Transition Woodbridge. 2 plums (Czar, Reine Claude Verte) planted January 2023, one a replacement for damaged plum.
Admirals Walk
In early 2022 Transition Woodbridge planted mulberry, quince, and a selection of wildlife friendly shrubs in Admirals Walk.
Colletts Walk
A ‘scarlet’ hawthorn was planted at Colletts Walk in honour of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in March 2022. 2 plums (Bonne de Bry, Coe’s Golden Drop) donated by Transition Woodbridge planted January 2023.
Buttrums Corner
2 plums (Merryweather Damson and Blaisdon Red) planted February 2023.
Melton Riverside
February 2014 saw the start of the first Community Orchard when we planted five pear trees at Melton Riverside. This was followed by 5 plum trees and a tree grafted by a member of the group, St Edmundsbury Pippin (a Suffolk apple variety), in Autumn 2014. Autumn 2016 saw 4 more apples planted (Bakers Delicious (another donated graft), Bramley, Sunrise, Worcester Permain).
Bury Hill
3 cherries and a plum were planted at Bury Hill in December 2015 with the help of local residents who came out to see what was happening and then decided to join in and help us!!
Hall Farm Road
February 2020 saw 4 apple (Ribston Pippin, Norfolk Royal Russet, Winter Gem, Elstar) trees donated by Woodbridge Rotary planted in Hall Farm Road.
St Andrews Place
5 apple trees donated by Woodbridge Rotary planted along one side of the play area right at the back of St Andrews Place.
Jubilee Green
5 trees (2 pears Louise Bonne of Jersey, Duchesse d’Angouleme, 3 plums Cambridge Gage, Count Althann’s Gage, Late Transparent Gage) planted February 2021 with help from local residents, donated by Transition Woodbridge. A further 4 trees (2 pears: Beth, Doyenne de Comice, 2 plums: Avalon, Blue Tit) were added in January 2023.
Planting Consultancy
St. Andrew’s Church, Station Road
In November 2013, with the help of the Mothers and Toddlers group from St. Andrews Church, we planted two apple trees at the back of the church. The first tree is a Catshead Landrace and is derived from an ancient tree at Battisford Church. Deb Pratt (pictured) worked with Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group (STOG) and Crown Nursery (who sadly are no more) to identify the tree and graft it onto a root stock. The second tree, chosen by Jenny Eckersley, clearly a Parochial Church Council member with a sense of humour, is a ‘Red Devil’ dessert apple. A big thank you to Angela Jones and Networking Nature (Suffolk Wildlife Trust) for funding the project. To Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group (STOG) for identifying the Catshead Landrace and Crown Nursery for all their hard work with the grafting.
Burness Rooms
In August 2020 Transition Woodbridge helped purchase and advise on planting two espalier pears in the car park to the rear of the Burness Rooms with a kind donation from the Tai Chi Academy.
Highlands Residential Home
Transition Woodbridge helped with advice and planting of apple trees in the grounds of Highlands in January 2019.
New sites
With new sites, people in the immediate community are given a leaflet with an explanation of what we are intending to do and we hope will help with planting the trees. After planting, we set up a watering rota with the residents for the first 3 years of the trees’ lives to ensure they get the best start possible.
Can you help?
We’re still on the look out for any appropriate sites for more community orchards. If you know of any locations that you think would benefit from blossom in spring and free fruit in autumn please get in touch.
Can you help with watering? One of the biggest problems is watering during the summer months so if you would like to help please get in touch.
