We know that there are many budding gardeners and horticulturists out there on the Isle of Wight.
West Wight Landscape Partnership Website
Now’s your chance to take part in a nationwide project to conserve our traditional orchards and domestic fruit trees.
The West Wight Landscape Partnership (WWLP) have teamed up with The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) are calling for volunteers to help survey the Island’s fruit trees in the first step towards promoting the conservation of the wonderful variety of local apples, plums, pears and damsons.
Fruit trees in decline on the Island
Since at least Roman times fruit trees have been an important feature in the Island’s landscape.
Whilst apples and other fruits are not thought to have been grown on a commercial basis on the Island, from medieval times most manor houses and farms would have had their own orchards. Many of these have now been lost to development.
However, remnant trees of these orchards can still be found in gardens and scrub across the Island and we are asking people to help us to locate and identify these traditional varieties.
The findings will be used to help locate and survey remnant orchards across the Island.
18 month survey hopes to reveal more
It is not known exactly how many apple varieties – indigenous and introduced – are to be found on the Island but the records of local experts already run into three figures.
Over the next 18 months we aim to deliver an inventory of fruit trees found on the Island.
This will include information on the condition and age of the trees and will be used to encourage the improved management of fruit trees and enable the propagation of rare and endangered species.
Peter Fellows, Manager of the West Wight Landscape Partnership said “From the record breaking Howgate Wonder to the humble Isle of Wight Pippin the Island has a fantastic variety of apple and fruit trees. We are calling on local people to help us record, understand and conserve this valuable part of the Island’s natural heritage.”
Complete the survey
Taking part in the survey is very simple.
Just complete the straight forward form on the West Wight Landscape Partnership Website.
Many thanks to the West Wight Landscape Partnership for supporting VB by paying for this feature
