Can you help our orchard blossom?
Beverley Advertiser, April 2004
Conservation staff are asking people to come forward with rare varieties of apple trees in a major project to create a new orchard.
Millennium Orchard, which is being created on a greenbelt site on the outskirts of Woodmansey, near Beverley, is already set to contain more than 110 specimens.
But now East Riding of Yorkshire Council's countryside access team and the East Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes are looking for more rare varieties to add to the collection.
Planting at the project has been ongoing since 2000. This year has seen the collection and grafting of four local rarities – The Hornsea Herring, Fillingham Pippin, Beverley Pippin and Arram White.
It is believed only a single tree of the latter two varieties still exists. Although initial signs are positive, it will not be known if the grafting, where a shoot from one plant is inserted into another to form a new growth, has been successful until mid-May.
Countryside access officer Chris Toohie, said: “This is a very exciting project as it is believed to be the largest, newly-planted orchard of northern varieties in the UK.
“We'd love to hear from anyone who believes they have a rare apple tree which might make a nice addition to our growing orchard.”
Joan Helliwell, secretary of the WI's orchard committee, said: “The Women's Institute is proud to be part of this conservation scheme.
“This winter some of our orchard committee joined members of the countryside access team on two day courses on the care of apple trees with experts from the Northern Fruit Group. This included pruning, important to the future care of trees, and grafting, by which we are able to preserve these important local varieties.”
Anyone who knows of rare apple trees or would like help with identifying one can call the countryside access team on 01482 395209.
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