tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13067556868980999512024-03-05T16:51:59.482-08:00Restoring traditional orchards in GloucestershireA blog following the restoration of two traditional Bramley apple orchards in the village of Charingworth, Gloucestershire. The focus of the project is to preserve the orchards and improve their ecological contribution to the landscape. The site is also a forum for other orchard related information and interest.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-78895745381182541212011-11-22T06:34:00.000-08:002011-11-30T06:01:18.992-08:00Biologische Obstspezialitäten: Swiss organic fruit farming the traditional way<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bSydfihnR8QOuDEkrwyE9GN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2K7of-u1E6Kgz73OwEdL0y1EFVBJOiEJ86qGZV-qBKqfE_84smBAvynG-Hwoxz6xf2dCQecbI3eyxHpRF3ASZra5kU8ARfysFSEQiGmnFGXUb7g2k7pOtu2uGTrfuhrRhpgOYRRnkJk/s640/Okt%252520057.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Using the internet to document my orchard obsessions has allowed me to discover fruity wonderlands in far away lands. Recently, I was contacted by Helmut and Monika who manage such a place on the southern shore of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Constance">Lake Constance</a> in Switzerland between Romanshom and Arbon. They've generously donated some photos of their <a href="http://bio-obst.ch/">farm</a>, and I think you will agree with me that it looks like quite a place!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/icCiNMoONTTZK06pKlNNkmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBV-RVNHnVC9hSzk4KCu4zOOUHlyMS7K8qeZUaINtz2_WkTZYU3ozEsz9i-ixf5xHxefDW7DvgPq6u40AcvwcFxbLjK1eW-UFe3OLqEjsxlTcJAjGaMbPB69JLUffX_z7V1RXPbJc9Pdw/s800/Untitled.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />It's a rare example of a commercial fruit farm of the most traditional form, with 550 trees of apple, pear, plum and cherry set over 10.5 hectares. The trees are standards, planted on vigorous rootstocks and allowed to grow to full height. These are the type of orchards that are so rich in biodiversity and are a <a href="http://www.orchardnetwork.org.uk/biodiversity-action-plan">'priority' habitat</a> for conservation in the UK. It has been a family run enterprise for 120 years, but the age of some of the trees demonstrates a tradition of fruit growing that stretches back much further.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KcktgD9s3GIInzc6ErW1QGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlwLF-wJhlmU5lqDcj47e9osuai4ItYP5hdgXlZ_C9ZXndZWKAtuVBNqQRcCChOh-P-kokKmOi4J288Yl1Pr8e0h57baH34x4wC4RTZSnETv6SSTWa9okV4Xsw7yJFC7mt4_wgQnNtHM/s640/Okt%252520032.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />This photo shows one of their fantastic old perry pear trees, a type of fruit tree that is particularly beautiful after a hundred years of growth. Sadly trees like this are becoming increasingly rare in the UK. <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lstEFJfP4plRl5DWD1EeGGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-6jkwc_evRI3MtnsjpaKLkf9L4rglTU6sKAXheWza_DyRfaJ7BqObiMY877v0ukyMu-vbLUKCA4l1pOUsg6n91bwnnyvZC4qKuDecFltzlgEj-Vy0oTg1FnBdLevVQJ2UZdHpR8Wp6Y/s640/gravenstein.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />This tree is an apple variety called 'Gravenstein' that Heklmut and Monika make a single variety sweet cider from. You can see the poles they use to prop up the heavily laden branches preventing breakages in the Autumn - a technique I haven't yet seen employed in Britain. Tender loving care!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dsHkYiZSVrbxWM_lfs3ccGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklN9Rhecs_d3H4EbYJ9WAqbP3HpOlxamyeE3bIA0MwhlaGKbKII1s0CidEN8VZiaxIZmdEQsVKNibaNAx3wEA4AfSvU5WhT370eJ4Cl2O_InEW5a-J7BE7NkOQUHzDRaMUepLymEuAkU/s640/Muolener%252520Rosen.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />This is another apple called 'Muolener Rosen'. Apparently is a variety that is largely unknown but produces a very healthy vigorous tree that crops productively in alternate years. Many cider varieties show this cropping pattern in Britain, especially in unpruned traditional orchards.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BI9PbrLv4VQoO673uHdfrGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4GOhn_OhRPMVgsQhsmLWMSnxNhRUN0ErAm8bNf_ONemoNnZQ-t4QOHhS8GMhC1CgSgMJve_dD5EHIa178sevg2H1S-WdHnFaxGUigg6Gr1d4FEMgRgxSZtlbCVLG9FUDx1GWucYEf7c/s640/harvest%252520time.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Harvest time in the orchards. The farm is totally organic, with the main income coming from sales of fresh fruit and sweet cider in the farm shop. They also supply apples and pears to a local cider factory. They also supply to retail outlets in Bern and Basel. <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DrKty2itnDV-AqdvrtLAAmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6o7PXQFB6Q-XoEeLZq3MPGkkJlOVDX5ihWCO4MW-elNLEYTZjzeN5D8jNyfBAlcizu17oDEVDqPFK2xujysj0rQ6X6EIxLjCvQJnWkXHRRx-HYjSj3_pt27LwyQm8RXTTTMKJGouVHO0/s640/the%252520producers.jpg" height="229" width="640" /></a><br />They produce other single variety ciders, such as 'Sauergrauech', 'Leuenapfel' and 'Taffetapfel'. (Just when you thought you were making headway in the labarinthine world of fruit varieties, hey!). <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/whGqAhdz0wsU9iSFs5gCBGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9W8dIw_pheJ15zquB5ya8NOvR0WW15D9-8yI8FWqd29SkTw3JE8rWXG-tZAp1tbarznvqdXhq-dTQWLL8klq0cSDGWLK56XzrXMioQALDGPQuvhyphenhyphencf9-OUsg7vOHzT3RoAQNhSlXD0s/s640/Okt%252520035.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />A pleasing traditional orchard scene with the next generation of trees beautifully complementing the more venerable characters! If only more orchards in Britain had such a <strong>continuity</strong> of horticulture and habitat.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gxGqxdr_LRGUnFgbV_sTUWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSOxtG9H1ojWnKg8ExcgUj0ZqRtubo6Jg8JdffleS85aTi8RssvETfJT4l1Mc4SfpmyUrGAjJa8wR6dle4Ldvj6EA7ASQUT0C2fL4eML8FLWA4n_17UJZjQSHlEdMYRiQtnl7Ol0-qDc/s640/Okt%252520052.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Autumn colours remeniscent of James Stanley's <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2011/10/surviving-orchards-of-ebrington.html">orchard</a> near Ebrington in Gloucestershire.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/x5QX6C_uyGe2YHwWgqavYWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3XiZ1qK_XZVSqskJb5HPDKXHx5fRwsc0PuiPngZR5YKv6UqdNyVF85He5YQ3GKCKEKQs4jWfL92RmC4Xms_EVbjtV4aZwCqtKIrZS1rwxWTk9r31fAMhioOTj6G3LKIchk7FUPchMQY/s640/Okt%252520083.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/prRrRMMhTUMkKcvwFYL9uGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i4NrEKBuonOO7owOASFbFBK3DTJ25ULdqxOwfNXQpdsM2Lk2oePisihJEFQXKjNxmCPrGahJCfDJXRDf0WH_EnqGW-Uhbxxr30nRJPx1_N_xdVdQZ_18Hqcp-b3DqHizCPA4UY9YR-s/s640/winter.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />I'm not sure what the winters are like in this part of Switzerland, but presumably they are pretty hardcore. Ideal for killing off pathogens in the trees and preventing disease outbreaks.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T3-wQ336nZaaBin8XICSAWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6bPHD04y73HZStCCtvXSBNgiTMBeRWqmzUrMijkrIqaHcYzLQiDls-V4N5W5BbEbZtFcJBTqiNT24tnfnfHEFeQAT6GTME2P3NJwJGpNeT1VXaIXSzof-hvOBMI4XlZjMeK_WO1xc08/s640/Okt%252520096.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7xoCNCgoeQLvG0axDbtGoWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyU_gx16q9w3ywaywhI_jKYDPaLVEvXEORA_AOsXHc4mFJJIF5h7bdFchfc92a2nCFi1OfuIZf7yEeWmzDt_H3-_2Hf9pEQBQ4j8O9GxuxsoXNXKpTmmqgPdZSxhIn_YOL7cbRThjtIA/s640/Okt%252520103.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />This amazing tree is a another perry pear. A fruit-growing research station near Zurich came down and aged this tree at 300 years old! The variety is called 'Wagner's Wildbirne' that is good for fermenting and drying too. Apparently its found nowhere else in Switzerland. You get trees approaching this age in Britain but I have never seen one with such wide spreading branches. She's a BEAUTY!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mEzHLtZe3IsrJcxwVM-d62N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio4UIwtH66jAgeUL12z4OZVZc8JTIfBa3vP4IG2OkwJ2iNSsOCxZAUVoxz4clX66vTDh0Jk_R7zYKosihLRvh9dvb9SPV3me1Yo_aEBEzX4Pz4wbyZ0DwxjLDxMtymiQjs-04Zfxqi-4/s640/Emmy%252520apple%252520and%252520rainbow.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />They have also developed their own variety called the 'Emmy' apple which is exclusively available from this farm. Thats the young tree in the foreground here. Helmut and Monika explained that they included this photo to illustrate that with vigorous 'seedling' rootstocks (e.g. M25) it is a fallicy that it takes years and years for trees to start producing. <br /><br />All in all, I feel an orchard holiday in the making!Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-43487874323138447222011-10-28T09:46:00.000-07:002011-10-29T01:46:41.387-07:00The surviving orchards of Ebrington<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NLzz-s3yoTojBHH_1dCIG2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV6yx1KgZe0ZXfcLYNO3ZW17oN_T3xcTZbnFyXV3hiZ8Gzf2ZI1QCm7LwkfHbdO7ZvHCXy12rb6Aq0tnyzvZ8_aCE6JaYMuGj_Lz6WmB0RaBkgVoQYRVl4a9D4b4wipuYUJ_WMKaj124/s640/IMG_7309%252520alt.JPG" height="375" width="640" /></a><br />Looking down towards Chipping Campden from one of the only old cherry orchards left in this part of Gloucestershire. In this area, it's better to focus on what is left to preserve rather than dwell on what has been lost.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3_sNY38OneRWmX3z7g01AmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqhxCt5ttiF03OLBvMpQmonckDfj3XYEfSC-gjEEY1O8FrU1CCxKCYnuToJR5Re-QeLwAISoatEVDCaP_kpD7JMNoSNAkCpheiW_t6E_AR1tncrVf0k7pd7R-HqqLa_f4Ym3rBgvdeio/s640/IMG_7303.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/huPmWPk6kp8o5XnDMc3XqmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdcuXlfG_hyphenhyphendm6JepKzbR2L_vYHAxM2MY04zCM5EIGA1YT4qU92gHMP17mkzVIpDxg6OmCkkCfbo7tHkDNI_jpIwgPHLv2r8hrGCMQSTALNEnjoq23zTl4mv_D0BbyNwndF0NUwXNH6o/s640/IMG_7277.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />This is James Stanley, a farmer who lives locally to me. He looks after several fantastic old orchards that I spotted via Google Earth. Today he was kind enough to take me on a guided tour of his orchards and the weather couldn't have been better for it. This tree is a <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/blenheim-orange">Blenheim Orange</a>. I've encountered a few old ones like this - they're impressive trees and always recognisably by the gnarly bark. It's a tasty late dessert apple variety found in c. 1740 as a 'gribble' by a gardener, Mr Kempster, on the boundary wall of <a href="http://www.blenheimpalace.com/">Blenheim Palace </a>in Woodstock. (A 'gribble' is an apple tree that has germinated naturally from a pip in the countryside, in case you were wondering!).<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XHwedTkrkoDlgXNBKOmrYGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtbcws2PKb_2-8EaDlkyi4gXlcVxfqrqTBWhFm24I7v9WjTSTgJyXqvIY91NsQOm7L3QkxK8Iwy5yRBMKfHhnkKl5OEK4jUqYO-GCSiXdRSzlUW8ePbXv3dgf9HCC6qPYpPLiGaaamOs/s640/IMG_7279.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />It is a classic traditional orchard, with all the trees widely spaced on standard rootstocks that has enabled the tress to grow large enough to cope with cattle grazing for many years. James was telling me how he used to pick from all the trees using tall ladders and sell the fruit locally. Sadly now there is no market for the varieties except intermittent custom from local cider-makers. Hooray for cider, again!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wz77hIA5eeiEosl0EfcRZWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JS_uXcyKO88dwtws-Y_9u147wwbE1UGCBx-MTshXuyUaWvZusGLeo6TjbnRvNaud7f4rx9Xxigh-5nQd-dk-yGpvlnm1NA5hhI9P928p7o6wTE2PQLL_i-Da5tvXPmma1aI6DDJTycI/s640/IMG_7280.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />This is an interesting tree. James has a whole row of these, with spectacular claret fruit. James' father used to call these "Devlins". <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CS25Dx8zspsc_d2UucB4PGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KXTFxOZFmYW8V77VaipVJTb3gL6dLXLrCDRHvrZYFzscyNP-ds-O1O_XLAhAKBXDWYC79nJH6snou9ey9SIbAnuOugEYJzmp7npBza8CHE70Xhr6QYBkWxLPm548OT9eedBots8302M/s640/IMG_7283.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Looks can be deceiving though, as they taste pretty cardboardy and apparently only really sold during the war when everyone was short on options.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D0dv8z4RtKVwS_7p0mlQlmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksmzaA0WfWm_dF5nA7-2UIAODBGwF4oosYO7wZBz-Gt3UlSczMl6jCLyCyxuKh0Q0wCBw_0phQCS0HTnmdakMj7MtLQJC6bkbMlsxBPMx7zfYGYags3dh7qdbR7XmSOtHFEdcVeVSMsQ/s640/IMG_7291.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />Beautiful perry pear trees again, reminiscent of an orchard in <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/10/perry-pears-in-bledington-village.html">Bledington</a> and my new friends Helmut and Monika's farm in <a href="http://www.bio-obst.ch/">Switzerland</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L6sR3IAKj3fa7KJZsyMeymN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VWcxmotsbVeYcp3OQ0wqXETGtdExXRk6o7cpjcsE_egbi8_QE7EJ9TmKxL3BnbC0hWU_zi12p-kIYBuPFJtjZBC981pMSUNLVUMGKWe2zI92P8TaRaB59oBVu9h-bN9MOani9ZFMZ-g/s640/IMG_7276.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />Because it has been so dry and sunny recently the trees have kept their leaves really well - look at the colour of this perry pear! <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-M-bTO-KMysA5QpQ36rUXmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG9C44Fx6SlMWiPIUBQHp6ByNOqmgBdZUml5Ex-V_UxoLbt40QUweoCfiMhAsfikLv3jy381tE592bdsBbVxuU72P1DOfbrQIiOM1strS1DwX_rXHEm6RQ9llP-gX9NPdsL7KFCncJr4/s640/IMG_7297.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Sadly this orchard has a real issue with 'generational bias', like many traditional orchards. If they no longer have a commercial use then there is no incentive to 'gap up' when trees die and an orchard with no young trees will slowly fade away...<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vt96664WUA4bxDotdvXw12N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUxKCYwNTBmmk7kmUNyeNgFZg0LjXevteuvxdEIMR3YqiwVlVd6QnWC0A-4R5dWfj3jTEADORNzrB30VdtfqXQnQK7G8nQikDIMCJAw58w1y-bTcsygN32Ohx6wh3woQtlQs33sMQcuk/s640/IMG_7301.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />Is this Ebrington's last plum orchard?Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-84294805166267196042011-10-11T03:39:00.000-07:002011-10-13T05:01:20.878-07:00Reinette d'Orleans: tasting the ultimate dessert apple with Barry Juniper<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/k5WTmVQTz3Rc4pgjrR0mKQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zt-wIxDrcGeVCnjffWK1LwHrt9uG1DIHt-kMSudMWp336xqp8J2Tylb-cQwUty5IWNsH_xAIKjbbIFEcSNE8lWg5oUHDju2tLq4_RmTS5eDhaJ7tNU8GqrlC555wafu0Titxpd2LPus/s640/IMG_7121.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />There's nothing like spending a few afternoons trespassing in orchards to clear the smoke of the city from your lungs! I have been missing-in-action doing a masters course in London, but now I'm back wandering the groves...<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/p3SUOOwegBUKoFKXEOXiFw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujCSVxDkfekOuZK8DeQEo1JUBJeLfdOniC7CfY5ch928P6kRwnVMF-ZCaoN8h2uexHAEAhNEnqQx6kV-pzMdKifoXjf1_oSwnDE0JIVOHB-2y2-L5eS885aKfpblgzie5pRhKwwuFFOo/s640/IMG_7126.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />I had previously <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/08/mount-pleasant-orchard.html">mentioned</a> a mysterious dessert apple called the Orleans Reinette (or Reinette d'Orleans). Back in Cambridge, Professor John Parker, the then Director of the Botanic Gardens, had recommended this as the best apple he had ever tasted. Many others agree. Orleans Reinette was first described in 1776 and is now grown throughout Europe but it remains in Britain as something of a rarity. It has proven to be illusive to track down. With apple season fully underway, last Tuesday I tagged along to a filming event with one of the world authorities on apples in his own private orchard.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AqhO5InvFuywFgMMU0x3Kw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hr7gARG3LEztldyFwvdk9awvkR1QBlhhlI1eTcOZIPmx6YWYJsWIMdOuTVpEUdaBgxVQGjPcSG9JhqNyr0fBVJkzPjITHgOBRKcY6nVPSDD2tAoDFNjocNB3YNucmhwqm4w_fQ7a2Po/s640/IMG_7123.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />This is Barry in his orchard in Wytham in which he has collected around 130 different apple varieties. Barry is an Emeritus reader in plant sciences from Oxford University and author of <a href="http://www.sarahjuniper.co.uk/applefactor/storya.html">'The History of the Apple'</a>. He is doing his thing for a Dutch film crew that are producing a series called 'Paradise' that is all about the future of food (it is the brainchild of a very interesting scientist, director and writer: <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/louise_fresco_on_feeding_the_whole_world.html">Louise Fresco</a>). <br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nvk59ul3r0dYL3HD55fTUA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS1848uRf0cPmVwmx6dnIy2JTPc3Cjcx-FFVvXM-NF5jn1t-JS7jM5cf91peC3NuyN0v8cXkB7OuTM9-BaZc1s9ioflPzEaaMII86fgZXWKT7-C1rDBMQiS-m18nf_NCommWzfqpo39w/s640/IMG_7118.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />In 1929, the famous pomologist <a href="https://prospectbooks.co.uk/books/978-1-903018-48-4">Edward Bunyard</a> described how <em>'...it seems to come from the Low Countries, where we first meet with it in 1776. Its brown/red flush and glowing gold do very easily suggest that if Rembrandt had painted a fruit piece he would have chosen this apple. In the rich golden flesh there is a hint of the Ribston flavour, much of the Blenheim nuttiness, and an admirable balance of acidity and sweetness which combine, in my opinion, to make the best apple grown in Western Europe....<strong>as a background for an old port it stands solitary and unapproachable</strong>.'</em><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uPHss5JKGj8WqHrIb03x4Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizenNuJhLEBI4a0d_6ozH5Vwicj48AGKeneC8XTwP0LPHhyqVdWVN9y-Pu9kNKB3q8zBocll5cLr6QfJuvZyCqw0iFBBtl3WxYXHZOseCQkDfgtWQfEAhMk5ASavrI-W_oAKieRrGGS-E/s640/IMG_7130.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />It's an unbelievable apple. (It stands solitary AND unnapproachable!) Really low acidity and fantastic subtle undertones of vanilla that emerge as you chew. It's also cracking with a mature (= runny) English goat's cheese a drop of Sauternes. Those slices in the background are <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/brownlees-russet">Brownlee's Russet</a> - notice how the Orleans Reinette does not go brown (oxidation) when its flesh is exposed to the air. Go out and find one!Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-32888746247550001722010-07-20T03:53:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:21:35.189-07:00Pump up the bramley - sky lanterns, fire and elderflower champagne<A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J-3Rct8xvI_UBSrlGgd5JGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyoIbwLxva0gFiHPt6vNivTqBt4-JD-x2eHZWi5iYqk1SfxAfNqi8joqOwQdJ1-8Riis7aq8aSM8paJ9eCM94yv453HkOHUerpU9x72OngPM1S6eOQ0tr7-o87LH1n0ec7NXO1UGuD4Q/s800/DSC00747.JPG" width="640"></A> <br />Last weekend I had a party in the 1920s orchard at Charingworth. I invited the people I work with in the market garden and a few other friends and orchard helpers. Three of the guests were cider-makers so we were well supplied with cider and perry, and also got to try out my <A href="http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/elderflower-champagne-recipe_p_1.html">elderflower champagne</A> for the first time. 'Too yeasty' is often the verdict with this kind of venture, but actually it was really good. Young, fresh, very fizzy and refreshing. <EM>A bit like me I hear you say?</EM> Ah gags!<br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ORUXjvaZBOBHXypyd6JtE2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1vy9DzZtta-z5IBRD0hPTgprjpzKtDvA0OGYDP9fEO62suttt2ycScqkQuyJUAcMLQMxvPmTjZbq-AScUVtPCA81KBx4G9sV4OUd_g6Xt6kFFkFX57mC0ZWRdBByk-uiMjl4UTjZJe8/s800/DSC00730.JPG"width="640"></A> <A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/83-xNXXUOLKrBJ66XHFPMWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcvDmida8_zzGRyoWx8o8MbSl6CgvcAGaRo0cUqb-tBSJ5LEaQrsWLyeWtbje9rsOhWBb3Cu4Ep8ErqGPiX6MIdZpWF7I2BEeSwOT3leB2SLv3S3n3XMhra6vney5a-JTi_7JRh8L9B4/s800/DSC00720.JPG"width="640"></A> <br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GHg85BFFuoVerwP2wrVrA2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AmoxBirIAP0c-PN5V3v39gyl2I8biLQPSa50pBCR-6hGDMKjIiagneQbuZgRLkkKJ1pLuve3r8Ezyw0F5qZInwIiiArjmLRadsPApPqxY42o7wD0HFD13FTtb7m6xXJqK7eJMpyX1Dk/s800/DSC00728.JPG"width="640" ></A> <br />A cheeky tribe of scrumpers, armed and dangerous! It takes some skill to get your face that muddy.<br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kii8XimlOyivKqV0mC-bbmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ur3UYzEUcB80MkYREOINlMPwtQspIdn6ZIdme6EBvdZj6mvJ1wZHk8b9x3wBbOJW5GmxSpxqUdfB0KQ47L5w3Qod4XZTSqcVlr1q5VOwnV3GvvI9ig5V6SYfCrtkM3qBPXMVu2Fv73s/s800/DSC00673.JPG"width="640" ></A> Orchards are great for camping as they never get too windy. I was pitched a little close to my hive of sleeping bees though.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Zj5jLrxs29OIGw-8ABpIsmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3G9alRp5NUvlKyKS7DP6Ebt082lc_ZQiXvxVzQVXe9u7zSiCgmUO2nXzqY14skK63a13eqnwCv-iXtTp-OqJjY8yrF7ymKWZIzpu3e6rUaR4UfyQb-SxHA2lOcyZHpMQaPBWqRl8vHQ/s800/DSC00702.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2yKMBNNCTKgBxxdQWOHHoWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakLxBvIt5MamZp3LCljCV-lNqM6KbufVLTgaFJigmt_Yx96_wvyzuQIHn5_lxxTqToLHvh-AU_c8zeWyVVuzK5BscFqXn0uOJgDWP7poVovvPHmDYhmBWuESxsTAIazpmnu94ds8FaMo/s800/DSC00646.JPG"width="640" ></A> <br />It was the first time I had tried this back-to-nature minimalist fire pit design for the BBQ. It worked really well, and I would recommend aligning it with the direction of the prevailing wind to maximise air-flow. We cooked Cumberland sausages, burgers, and spicy 'Hungarian Hot Wax' peppers stuffed with coconut rice. Use <a href="http://www.dorsetcharcoal.co.uk/">British charcoal</a> if you can - it burns so much better and the woodland management involved in producing it benefits many species. I like to think <A href="http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Courses/Expeditions/">Ray Mears</A> would have loved it, although someone brought tin foil and I know he hates that.<br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GadL21zAXosKco4BshOTtWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrRg1_sXK6npwuMe-hUJEBCY4p1EVkEkCnzC6mJtFxWBeo-ie60OXUb65YhOaYOXeX4up1dWUIY2oW5dgBOvj1hNs2rpkwvlSQMai6sk-fc83LHzllDrs9Pu3IluoNBpmCJKDoswkZIw/s800/DSC00768.JPG"width="640" ></A> <A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6JXzO0lcEs6WOJD6xdcrwGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMMHQuU7h2m2NrXFXY-a54fxXYXLacpU5UhdT-1M3v4KzFrzgbcpxs3drQXD3WXrhvacAM2zmaqS6ivz0qTl2r73QMI7Ej4EqoJ1-1y-RROCQb-jajIHElM_Lw1xAnEz2Pnh1OF6jVug/s800/DSC00780.JPG"width="640" ></A> <br />Everyone knows that there is nothing quite as entrancing as fire, and when you combine it with the gaping mouth of a drunken man it becomes a special pleasure.<br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gdtcUP3o2LH3z_YSelq8tGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwO7Y-jjPWa6AEbGyyIhGCzXXr8nP-w7i5l1h2LjIsqPHJYBMY7gjQZvDfjAOHjwDYlu32TPfLF6xC7IsBTOAXZQdf40oTH-gSu9TwL3iqhrW-DkjsFRCYi-ROsq8lFF4fdAxbUJ0Bznc/s800/DSC00763.JPG"width="640" ></A> <A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fd0GO6tJIn0awQsVq4slMWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjjYZ7BzZ4Dwpbbh1LH22uq2bfXI-MxDH32KQ0YFRodf9cFZkm5HcGW8r1jRJqOusOUa2A3Ts6gZBMa1qAm0dLEMWwX-oJG9DDYiD-H-uSqd8r-bZyjXTFcp8IYMMXVKzD4BnLOD0lKk/s800/DSC00801.JPG"width="640" ></A> <br />No ultra-hip orchard knees-up would be complete without a sprinkling of sky lanterns (or should that be a twinkling?). I'm sure the NFU would have <A href="http://www.nfuonline.com/Our-work/Campaigns-and-Lobbying/Westminster/Join-our-lobbying-effort-on-Chinese-lanterns/">something to say</A> about that, but apparently the wheat is not ripe enough to burn yet and life is too short anyway. Our ones didn't have any metal wire in them making them 100% biodegradable and safe for cows etc.<br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D53wt5BFWp6FR4d5ZmTAumN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SQSOhwUm7a9ARlmAyFZn-9kxsacTTg7kz5rpDsgAOW10cBX03CMrV8hbzLWUQDP2IrTNetdDqOhYstDLfIGa_81ounCI2MwqagfhkXvPVmjTJrDn1_6q2rpmjjILGVRLRDo9sDEMeww/s800/DSC00838.JPG"width="640" ></A>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-34785462464192153752010-07-03T05:44:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:56:51.722-08:00Orchards and beekeeping with Charlie the jackdaw<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GaoxHNhiAUbygfRNUOTqmGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiG5QPLK_G2PR-FuyxpbLwTAByeRKZJ3ZXmJ1viIsHwgWgrheRjq1ZTA9A0qmNV4bipI9rrimHYHMoPYWoUHGdkQpyXVryoZV5gTOqbQMuLDAa7FMBew4iM7SKE9IZHruNH_ffT9syjE/s800/DSC00431.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />On Thursday I was invited to a special orchardy event hosted by the <a href="http://www.fwag.org.uk/">Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)</a> at <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/days-cottage-orchard-training-day-with.html">Day's Cottage</a>. My beekeeping guru Tanya was one of the main speakers, covering all aspects of the the longstanding relationship between orchards and bees. In this photo she is showing us the different components of an occupied hive (although it does look suspiciously like some kind of cult meeting). I also gave a short talk about orchard restoration - hold onto your hats people! <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4JRVvG9ELeTifyxzTzoS32N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9emjbJ7mgJphjXx3GPwNg5zq_3QwUqy6YZphzDaH-SisxAjmTsWuJNa1qJl9t08VsFGY0pv7TWmlXCV2X-qT_OwmnZUgArCzrCqJZhU5JBwUhinhir8GMtEStn5vTzcF8VeTCP46mRM/s800/DSC00429.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Beekeeping is crammed full of interesting facts and props and this makes it ideal for demonstrating. Look at the amazing glass-fronted display hive on that table. We all had to try to identify six different honeys by taste. They were: Cotswold garden honey (Tanya's), Salisbury Plain honey (florally diverse), Sicilian Eucalyptus honey (monofloral), English heather honey (bleak?), oil seed rape honey (lurid?) and New Zealand manuka honey (TCP++). I got two right but was impressed by the range of flavours. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aqhMp5DZAs7G2hOMGswMWGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN-fjc-Bc-CzyG2ZN3rsTxsoQywFrpP4Dh4sPeoIk6hFZth7vxomjPbwlh3Fgg5ifNB84Ioq5yOsx__g29b7aDAKqJ2kHKyi0BhH8w3xofb12Bh3bLZt2wf17GfXGXU6RWYMN6Jntmr8/s800/DSC00427.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3WxSaPIMYBbyjVFc-ly6eGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqAP4KN6FY5-Jgy5EpnPT0yushwndSxpBUADvBXca2kzhFE41wMQhddxStXeEoAdUvmrmnR1SQl_sh1FqJERJMPK1CO9NIuxmmuUrKl0HZE-4CCccGSP50XX5j88pW5zrnHy02IqNlWQ/s800/DSC00435.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Here is Dave Kaspar, chairman on the <a href="http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/about/">Gloucestershire Orchard Group</a>, and that chap on his shoulder is Charlie. <a href="http://www.dayscottage.co.uk/">Dave and Helen Brent-Smith</a> have been raising him on cat food and he's now two months old. When I first arrived he came out of nowhere and landed on the FWAG lady's head and she freaked out, thinking he was a wild bird. In the other photo Dave is doing a demonstration of budding with a plum variety called <a href="http://www.orangepippinshop.com/product.aspx?productid=10070">Rivers' Early Prolific.</a> Budding is another method of reproducing varieties, like grafting, only it's quicker and is done in the summer.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fxnxZ0VhNvU1EJ0WxFp0m2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kM1x30QTqHyfEg3_u9fXMPyo9wiWbe-pQpZUqhNqnPtUihSsc3oMfalkdAJwczT1Chfdgws11uFIa1ov-5vlcDNoeBP8T4WkShd91gnVGKdKk6wVfk6U0KmkO2qS2FuYUFiKQ2qbgvk/s800/DSC00444.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Here is the pommace left over from an earlier juicing, and see how it is studded with freshly germinated apple seedlings. Back when most farms had a press and made their own cider for the labourers, this stuff was often either fed to the pigs of spread on the fields. Farmers used this latter option as a way of generating new apple seedlings to use as rootstocks for established varieties. Every now and again one of these seedlings gave rise to a brand new variety, but sadly this source of new variation has been largely lost. Pips will not germinate unless they have been completely liberated from the apple flesh and '<a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/526691/scarification">scarified</a>' by the cold of winter (or a fridge).<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TSZLGQ339bT-ppdiEfOP8WN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWKynccpzZx5RLp9_ubTT8dqUVqRfevYosEAMcH0fXmOP_6r66DH1vXvo_4-ZmzN8nlXCnQZw8xsGeaEh3P5TE0iBCswRIOudimaQ7K6D-v-UziehSooDWGilApCLI5YH5aQpq4FQ574/s800/DSC00441.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/dead-wood.html">DEAD WOOD</a>! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b81hYknSlinZC7ZNiIzgymN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lmR6aS68fdrGfriAwn_98hC8lYx2Pr9ojL3f5RWpqTeubI1_F3C1yQMn0m2JLxPy4lI_5ZmFkcefCORfOcItPS0sCsmGE5gu-V1dvDDJjn-o7tsKckwdrzG1Sn0LUa_ytz78CDi8tsw/s800/DSC00443.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Here's <a href="http://www.mistletoes-r-us.co.uk/">Jonathan Briggs</a> - you may recognise him from one of my <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/talk-from-mistletoe-man-jonathan-briggs.html">previous posts</a> - a mistletoe expert. He gave a fascinating talk all about this parasitic plant which is a key component of traditional orchard ecosystems. That sprig of mistletoe is emerging from an unusually thick branch. Day's Cottage is deep within mistletoe territory and it is abundant, but up in my corner of north Gloucestershire it is far less common and the nationwide distribution patterns are yet to be fully understood. I have had some success getting it established in Charingworth, but that's for another day...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3i5hLKwuLoefXOvT4vtNEmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0AU9lcA5uVgZ_lVK5cEqHB3s4lJYbDbntgMPIZIx-YRBSFVBG9JjM6YfmtGjcqydNWx36x29nJhe9RzUBOWYKfSH5RRW2m42rlRTYj2lz-C6TXllC3yCeC3elNDsa2J1gAExGUYp4_A/s800/DSC00448.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lALK2xn8WFtT01HkjkAcE2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUyHIxB_fv9G1I6WEQPnxE7M43IZf7ulN6ooNXU7Aca_VtCA3L9XEpmQ3kPd9qObxZIuhDJ7yxIF_4H9M_2GxVC1cDIV-2kW4M2iX0HCm35elUZl8jhgffd3SOTvN1T7d_L9D88O-sSw/s800/DSC00447.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Imagine this for a pub accessory. And look at his fantastic cool blue eye. Who's a good boy?! Jackdaws are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvidae">corvids</a>, a family that includes crows, jays and magpies, and they are very bright. They can use tools and have demonstrated self-awareness. Perhaps one day he will be tempted by the glint in your eye...<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="400" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WqITI8ZwR-A?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-86897209216619887672010-06-27T03:48:00.000-07:002011-10-29T01:49:36.165-07:00A Winnie the pooh daydream: bees, drones, queens and HONEY<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2ubsDkwHHPS-a2kS2ZrfwWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5AkfRGtxpHePLIa54bSElWAJmKX_oP_Ix8gNAn2Xjwh-Sl0DmMk_rnme8ChmXSYxpCcf5EqJIc3DYYS_Q6pu2yoNU1L_KAPv-n60tbl4tmyl1od7PeZzYp0ZjIbs4sD6H94eWGPcvXU/s800/second%20inspection%20(39).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />My bee guru Tanya supervised another peek into my bee colony last week. This is the 'wild' colony that I managed to capture in my bait hive in the 1920s orchard. Since the colony is about to have a population explosion we added another story onto the hive (called a 'super') and hopefully it is from this that we will be able to harvest honey. And check out the suits...(could I bee any hotter?)!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aWWAE7fYus-z9x47ykf8nGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I1wO2giBWBp2Q0wCAP4C13RFjBhj1muDkWTePx-en_For5Qt-92Uljv7Kw1hkVyUlMlPofmP0VRd-UHRbk9d9Hxsfa38zj7P7JxcQV4TrdbsWptEfiu2EyV0nzWz3c4Lt1PfVGmMEX4/s800/second%20inspection%20(27).JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1Yei9WtpENBhhcXrN2EXsWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZNAHErLLhlG_ATFjWmZpqmiM6m9aL5-34PdT2N-p7ZyjRBaM3iNY6NkRmXhHr-a0fR0bgK0ECtX_9etpJjQyb8JWsXUFdm4HDNLmbV9UmHq8hmUBU_IHVKuSvMAN-iQKUtNObCO330U/s800/second%20inspection%20(6).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Unfortunately to get into the hive we had to disturb this wild comb somewhat, but it provided the perfect opportunity to have a really nosey snoop around their magnificent wax world. You can see a cross-section through the brood comb and inside these cells are the white developing larvae. Along the top edge of the top photo the comb is for a different use - it has honey and pollen (the darker brown stuff) stored and this is both a food source for the workers and developing young. Do they have it on toast, you may well ask? <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MZ1uFqzIAufuCMSSpNQSrGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEee1cpYTZuw5SihA1PFIzAvAbDhOLQ5GO77N3Iuk70GI0sHp02fqAwNGKN77338q88UGiKNRaKeE_ITELMw4sQ3Kso0iNlfdnAW3sBOgjH1CupLN874vVNlAkDKUJsgW3cdaj2gROxh0/s800/second%20inspection%20(12).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Look how delicately sculpted the cells are. This close up shows the sedimentation of pollen produced as different bees contribute their tiny parcels collected from a range of plants with different coloured pollen. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s9BhVubbkKaWy_RbNUWgJWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwVOWK0IY0IApmG-z0FPC-d0C2iN7f8XZe4fVNtd3ZwrO4ozSLfRTnD1NtvavvcsG1RPah21sc9EGkSkgV_pm2jOzN5TKZibc9MG8CAQHx-zIKZwI-OiT98nAdjSXQv6cuhLS54Zp2YA/s800/second%20inspection%20(74).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Whenever you open a hive and disturb the bees they tend to congregate and do this special nosier wing-fan action. This is their way of calling in any disorientated bees who have gotten lost or wandered off. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G9VXMKUPLo3MRWEfZe9UbGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKJfwKmGrl-RfSl7aYVpudlbjHQvIxS9cvJB4WKjT4Ypnn4RlfeJlMQKNWI9548z1jvWH07rAs_cywtcQCkJjMPBo6isb8tDbVGKNzWe2ccYqpVJwGBdFBjPugwtEpKGcnteNtrQmlNk/s800/second%20inspection%20(75).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />I know what you're thinking: who's this handsome lad? He's a male bee (or 'drone') and slightly larger than the female workers. A proportion of each colony is made out of drones (even though all of the workers are female) because no colony can reproduce without a fertilized queen. He was skulking on his own on one of the frames. Pull your wing out son and get pollinating!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jnEye6I-BE_hhxt_H7AQl2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS33SEd1n8ZI6N6zxbGQsbdDmkQZ27fGKyU9xjmroqh5_Ek1NPfxBL3SA7rN0AvajCS_9bLlobTnLFxfMpgkTAh3EFHzxPEkC33h97nHgJ-envkFbY2_NrLde2NAwIiqAS7fz1skXIZ0g/s800/second%20inspection%20(101).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />We made some frames to go into the brood box and encourage the bees to build their comb on them. In this photo I am helping Tanya attach this wild comb onto a frame before returning it to the hive. Ideally we should have filled the box with frames very early on and then the bees would have had no choice but to build comb on them. <br /><br />The advantage of the removable frame system is two-fold: Firstly, you can take them out to check up on their progress. Secondly, it is less energetically expensive for the bees to build comb on a frame with a sheet of wax that has the hexagonal cell pattern embossed into it (a '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdL8TDJ4Kbo&feature=related">foundation</a>'). Wax takes about six times more energy than honey to make so this foundation reduces the amount of energy the bees spend on wax and thus they can produce more honey. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gk91MPzvifnwPT0e6_-kw2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LGH0aPq3ZWzj76pU_AVr8A-xVFIUkfuQhsOJ8k7s3RuP5mRiqjUHOVfjIwE6TEb64lRTu9Yhp12vM7RVmAdrAUYRlK4DWVLY5gDxg6p0rtRLzqE8Z6_ybdDXuOLDt9Ae32efPcHGsMY/s800/second%20inspection%20(20).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />That metal grid thing is called a 'queen excluder'. It separates the brood box at the base with the 'super' above and has gaps that are just too narrow for the queens abdomen to fit through. This prevents her from laying eggs in the super, keeping it just for honey and pollen. Royal discrimination.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jcp2faYs--NTUugfubf9dmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFlT8xzYvlbhsD2MnDO_SwVF5sCOiaVTrbMN7aUiy4wCPP-1RZoBIKoWqroqTCVEPPNkFBY7NvLF-8T4uFEtw4Hch7euezkZq8Ct74FkcRNaGLHR2QgwzQ5PZe4jIphxRsTsQz-lRDsk/s800/second%20inspection%20(110).JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bO36ckwnIfvdmA_ph5FS-v8AR-hOi5JjCUx_J4tij3I-X3PznSowT37hsfEqzGujdMG40vHPP8FJMV-H2hh8BwlqQZN2JR1GdlwAKH4NxS_yV7E0KTIgMJVO2QfQFbDdHPyFMVaFhlw/s400/100_4045.JPG">Picnicking with winnie the pooh?</a> I got to take home some of the honey comb and it tasted goo-ood. <br /><br /><object width="640" height="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjNiIvUEtIw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjNiIvUEtIw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="780" height="500"></embed></object><strong></strong>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-31002024673190230532010-06-06T09:45:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:54:31.983-08:00Inspecting the hives...I'm covered in bees!At the end of April my beekeeping guru Tanya came over and helped me to <A href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/05/bait-hives.html">install two bait hives</A>, one in each orchard. The aim was to try and capture a wild colony when they start to swarm around this time of the year. It seemed like a real long shot, but amazingly I started to see bees going in and out of one of the hives about two weeks ago. So on Thursday evening we went back to have a peek at the colony and see how far they had got with their empire... <br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wjAaLlv5YpvdveAt7QK32GN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wPwYmP2tKr88Ft3V2KuQ9Eh_burMHYzKjlwuFnzze7GUHK_xymlyv6UU4BtTlnviD6Rb2NuVyNEAu5HxpZVNFNWMR2Bo_Rgj35QzW3xo1DX0wpLGmgB6lSK2Bk_7chPnr-6bcKjCqu0/s800/DSC00215.JPG"width="640"></A> <A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EpEd4zkkKLZeQMmymobOzmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy09Fz34pr0tYkagwzPkPCJqWx76o1WvvwwJMIYF1lopELxgIZfaqLacAgoNfIgYNPiEPWM0jaQBvleMfbHeAau9NnFBdoAdNc9Li0abKzh_ygQhBGUgZ48Z1EYp9aKVH55gGXBkNL47E/s800/DSC00216.JPG"width="640"></A> <br />This is Tanya carefully lifting the lid on the hive in the 1920s orchard. That beautiful construction is wild bee comb and represents the natural form of a bee comb, the home of the colony. It is so pale because it has been made recently - over time apparently it will become browner with the build up of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis">propolis</a>. Unfortunately, comb like this is more tricky to manage than comb built on the <A href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/3498318772_2ba46c2902.jpg">removable frames</A> you can see to the front of the hive. Ideally we would have filled the hive with these frames before they managed to build this natural comb and thus forced them to build on the frames. Still, what a wonder to behold! <br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rNC6l8brDxZan3liM33mCmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIoYzpV-WkhSbAbb22Z92mvCtQFD_d3tZdwZqTBcj4e0w_o26TQa0trxpnz3MfZI8yOL4AIeg3phlRg_QXRwkqdtoP_AW-h1WCv4qRVnkhDWtf1qC-7DtWbhWmVSUPB1ozSpFDcnIN3E/s800/DSC00231.JPG"width="640"></A> <br />Most commercial beekeepers would break up the natural comb into flat sections and attach it using string or elastic bands to the frames, thus allowing the colony to be managed much more easily. Since I don't have to be as efficient we decided on a compromise where we left the bulk of the natural comb but filled the rest of the hive with frames for them to move onto as the colony grows. <br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eGh1F70ot2zK1_suoKhKv2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmgqStOT4AT_VwDp2Tx8OHHSe1cJUhSFNZmnQ9h-7sq38o3iHGNKrFnWJ5OGQZlZorb4KM5LKNlc5VUksbEX-XfznUPunvI4hWfHWMLph7psnS9bmI_7d2uHS31yjSqPR5v0dBIbLVFo/s800/DSC00219.JPG"width="640"></A> <br />Here I am using the <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_smoker">smoker</A> to move the bees around and try and prevent any from being squashed. Smoke irritates them and they shy away from it. Amazingly, the bees didn't seem to get too bothered with our meddling and they didn't try and sting us. Phew! <br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eOdxT9tLoHA8EvOMGV9zd2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2HlgFNQPg6POZAWtoPAr1IJiG54Z_p4q-eIai5H4Jpx4Tre3vDCnAeH2QlCRRb62iNAhWxymdadGCdMWJKDvF8R2NUPgpH8y3rGxQ0RJoWzN-xIXeYRZjUaHOBSFWr2HpxgMG7Qd7lc/s800/DSC00241.JPG"width="640"></A><br />We took a small piece of comb out to have a taste. The cells on one side are filled with nectar and the darker cells contain pollen which you can also eat. The bees have not yet started converting the nectar into honey. They do this by adding an enzyme and reducing the water content. This allows them to store energy supplies since honey will not ferment (it is in fact the only type of food that never goes off in pure form!). When the colony gets bigger I can add another story to the hive and sustainably harvest some honey periodically. We ate it with the first strawberries of the year. Very decadent!<br /><br /><iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bjNiIvUEtIw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-51880525174855732762010-06-02T12:57:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:51:47.653-08:00Charingworth Orchard Trust on the road<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PZ8qRZW8LvsqWEw5b4CnnGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBLlzRJJ64nbHmV59E-2tN0WnL8wnNoPHYEDw9CFBcNcFIRi6ORvGgQG7whaX80IfHvUO91PXkYDVns_kWMANQ0ncUatTwj0RL4N_9ukIMB4AnJ9Ri0lPk69UAHa_LzFQ1s2WGCYQQ5A/s800/daylesford%20summer%20show%2022nd%20may%202010.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />I work part time in the market garden at <a href="http://www.daylesfordorganic.com/">Daylesford</a> Farm and on the 22nd of May we had our summer show. Over a thousand people came and I had a little stall promoting traditional orchards and their many wonders. I met Monty Don who seemed pretty knowledgeable on the topic and said he had his own garden orchard with 38 varieties - go Monty! That jam jar by the dead log is full of beetle poo, or more accurately, the characteristic lozenge shaped frass of the <a href="http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=326">Noble Chafer beetle</a>. Its a rare beauty and an old orchard specialist so I thought it would be a good prop to have in case I met anyone really keen! I had a selection of some of the good orchardy books too:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sarahjuniper.co.uk/applefactor/storya.html">The Story of the Apple</a>, by Barrie Juniper and David Mabberley<br /><br />Man-made Eden: Historic Orchards in Somerset and Gloucestershire, by <a href="http://jamesrussellontheweb.blogspot.com/">James Russell</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.james-crowden.co.uk/index.php?product_id=34&page=shop.product_details&category_id=7&flypage=flypage.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27&vmcchk=1&Itemid=27">Ciderland</a>, by James Crowden <br /><br /><a href="http://www.northernpomona.co.uk/Details.cfm?ProdID=53&category=7&secondary=0">The Northern Pomona</a>, by Linden Hawthorne, Elke Laver, Bridget Gillespie and others.<br /><br />All worthy additions to any garden library. I also had a few copies of my article for Historic Gardens magazine - <em>The Traditional British Orchard - A precious and fragile resource</em>. It's not in print yet but stand posted...<br /><p></p>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-8978868121800936582010-05-29T04:26:00.000-07:002011-11-29T03:53:20.550-08:00Looking for water voles on the River Evenlode<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OUtfI8Zsu2fk4R0sYdlZp2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkS3d8nxvkOw3c7V_hBhiVYXFrtKQjdIkdCrVzKLrec5_piDK5y5YleniB2hNjQppO4njhBdVDp5H4w7V1zbDU__u_GSXXlqVqJlF9csfwpTCUqNKZccaPXKXd8dPKBvgSLwy-HJQc-o/s800/DSC00147.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Recently I accompanied two ecologists from the <a href="http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/">Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust</a>, along with Tim Field (Daylesford Environmental Scientist) and John Field (Water Vole Officer, no relation!) to look for <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/European_Water_Vole">water voles</a> on the River Evenlode. One of the main areas we were inspecting was a wetland ecosystem beside the river that has recently been created by Tim on behalf of <a href="http://www.daylesfordorganic.com/">Daylesford Organic</a>. The project has already looked at several <a href="http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/gwt/gwt.nsf/WebArticle?OpenForm&id=97FE25AB7614F9A2802576460033AE71">Cotswold rivers</a> recently and is part of a nationwide scheme to help reverse disastrous recent declines in the mammal.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/80DN_JHznF34MCvShYTBfGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDrunVEptlfTc9ER07pIL9yTOLInX2mxTiP_BKbA5AGOKhc86S9R5FQ8v9p9Ajq6wW50BjHOZMxpi7T0Jm4UhVsNUvhiGadO79Hpe7r6n5_QKn9vXAjxHtslA72GviZoc9Cpdx2HSX8o/s800/Image1.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />The highlighted area is the wetland reserve, photographed in May 2009. The Evenlode is visible as a thin line passing down through it. Until quite recently this water-meadow was very 'horse sick' - that is to say it had been heavily overgrazed by horses. Two years ago the culverts, ditches and pond (visible as lighter brown marks) were added using a JCB with valves to allow the water levels to be adjusted. Over the winter months the area is flooded, providing valuable habitat for migrant waders and waterfowl as well as flood alleviation for people living up- and downstream. In the later summer and autumn the regrowth is enjoyed by Gloucester cattle, an old breed hardy enough to handle rough grazing land. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BKvTLtbLIf_NCaccexwOlGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JrFIe1HbMiSaxgrvFb2MZfN7O7gHAQ_dNlpv5k6IkG6YXhFqo-4dogZCweWs5Ze2UyVmd9qHBAOCC42DJvflUzfBWiZfdjkjp86YTzbbB0fOigOIrxuNEflQ7CBEeVgy0DwtFNVXHhU/s800/DSC00146.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Already a number of key meadow and wet meadow species have emerged in the sward, including <a href="http://www.plant-identification.co.uk/skye/gramineae/alopecurus-pratensis.htm">meadow foxtail</a>, <a href="http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o672-marshthistle.php">marsh thistle</a>, <a href="http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o1148-commonknapweed.php">common knapweed</a>, <a href="http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o675-marshwoundwort.php">marsh woundwort </a>and <a href="http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o687-meadowsweet.php">meadowsweet</a>. The ecologists suggested that the sward could be further enhanced if a hay cut was taken off the site, followed by a <a href="http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/TIN063">transfer of wet hay</a> from the fantastic wet meadows at <a href="http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/gwt/gwt.nsf/WEBARTICLE?OpenForm&id=7C5F41BEB0A560B08025742F0039F5F8">Greystones Farm Widllife Trust reserve </a>near Boughton-on-the-Water. This would provide seed from some of the rarer species (e.g. orchids and sedges) that are unlikely to naturally recolonise.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f5yHrvvtIaTj26i_U8V1SGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV731exAAoY7JHMFX9ucvJRSqXiKvhseg3Ec65wQUJcUgd190mGKUWw_sWuydhGhfr34kzLQm1x_9pdllcnDBPTJD-yjCdoRQEukVhJwsb-o4dwp8iZJnq0_UQmz6CKic91BYWyQIjr-s/s800/DSC00148.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Irb34LFey1ZkD4tWn-jG2GN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlpRp6g-4zyqdk6_yh89o8hnYK3sIGgus7Vo4uX6a8566-gl9wWP33qelrYEnW7h9QceWHXiK98OD_GiJK8Z9IX76sTlHzq0F3JQzy8h-fvCGZ_WsDDkYNb9UKzRCcekB3GE_QLO4GDE/s800/DSC00149.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />The main dyke and surrounding marsh. Exposed soil and algal blooms betray the young age of the water feature, but it will already have been colonised by many invertebrates, particularly dragonflies and damselflies. A pair of <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/lapwing/index.aspx">Lapwing</a> were diving and calling over the marsh and perhaps had a nest nearby or were prospecting the site. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mx2ufM5Yk0_VfX4e8ZENm2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4JOZPEW-7IO5JGJav4lxvUSnTHgMyiT_nRJi9zjI8WGzpa7GfvQ_Oj_zwFAbtm8JsDQ0BOmVSzGJGqicaMJFHgy7KhyompvXSWF33ClMBDoApi4NYpKFDpb1WAFw64h20Jtmg_kSN-M/s800/DSC00159.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />We looked for water vole latrines as the only sure fire way of confirming their presence (apart from spotting one obviously!). There are a number of secondary clues that can be used for further evidence such as,<br /><br />1) their burrows - BUT can be old and uninhabited or confused with the brown rat's <br />2) piles of chewed grasses and reeds - particularly yellow flag iris - BUT also displayed by bank and field voles so unreliable.<br /><br />Overshading of the riverbanks by trees and bushes has made many river banks unfavourable for the water vole, combined with the other big factor, American Mink. These hardcore predatory mammals are often foolishly released from farms into the wild by so-called 'animal rights protesters' (ha!). Unfortunately they have quite a taste for the water vole. This stretch of the river looked like quite good habitat so mink are probably why we didn't find any.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Tcffk_9Rfb45Jh8_6PPXm2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wUj5_XKn6D1B3V5N1KAdJDmioI0RUdlbDVKq9pR-jaXhcIAPNG7FoOPcsb-xj7c7jgRpni5cKugtopAwP1SZuBXyOCSKbn7DqQHTG7CrnXf1933HBkif4zW5DJlmNgu3XGF0hjozHMY/s800/DSC00158.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />A <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/mallard/">mallard's</a> nest in an old coppiced willow. Is this an unusually large clutch?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DHte6EOcu_pmEWYPzMziJmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B-EdV30rsgobYX2lTZ-vM2NhcMBKCoBipQ6ea-aqJ59fOmVTOQAdq3ylMzv5P4akPr4ZCcGbN5xR5y8bj4rSFY-ohNuM6GkDWD5ZLGbE5W5zvVVPUvixGDLu6xmZKaucMzUZB_-9EJU/s800/DSC00151.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Otter spraint and footprints on the riverbank. They have very large territories (40 miles!) so it may not live nearby. The spread of the invasive <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3343686/American-Signal-Crayfish-wrecks-UK-waters.html">signal crayfish</a> may well have helped otters recolonise much of the country. A large contributor to their decline were the <a href="http://www.otterproject.cf.ac.uk/">endocrine disrupting chemicals</a> (EDCs) used as agricultural pesticides that accumulated in the food chain from the 1950s until recently. These are now banned and otters are doing well.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-72355377874108884552010-05-24T11:54:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:50:35.126-08:001920s orchard in full spring glory<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/CHEjpRhfliZwFAz8Fff82WN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBZAzZi42Em8M4HpWyQkT-eQaDpNDC3QSMGisCoThyJZd9ta2C6UQJj3dvUkzMAD77UvFHAQ5stkMeohlz2rEN-zODsh2-7Lxx3anv6DAZMnvDS0EODlukcvWIwWYHtTOQmEQePGv4Ts/s800/DSC00136.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/BVVIL-PAt3GhIdc_Kopa82N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1LTf7t1IdXElR1MS7H0SCZz8fnPMHV25O2Rw2yAD1jkLqnbP5MrcPTYsE3KHZRGzo_M13_DzjoJtAcS5jnxzHEo1yLuI23JhQqZZ15APeSRQpquzDqfd82QX6zyquYbV1Nh4CYVTtqk/s800/DSC00200.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/E4kNNAVPgHPgdmqOUZjMNWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0AFD0J-eC1G86bUJB7cScPjCX_GHVL4s0-1s_rvaDYT0rIaF4fSsQ5oyFQd9xhINxtPiDtuCDgPXQMhJG9vVYVKkEXKYDtdhyovk5DeGGSnQFzoNntN7u9c2qeQXTD5-ncuo-796yRM/s800/DSC00132.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/3Fx-HCrwuR7R23yp7cjs1GN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwO5kGvvRkEQQAgtUzrvgm7_MfxuMn5_FeU5pu4OghCZzr0f8PT2K28g1bZ_bRIg9jabivaNUx2uK4gsUpRF4ywKDEW4CVccQoYs0STm5ECOlqznby7dHOdpBYb7LMbNlc6UifQ32oPM/s800/11.1.2009%20promo%20054.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />Before and after shots of the 1920s orchard. The 'after' photos were taken two weeks ago and the 'before shots in the winter of 2008. Fifty trees have been pruned, the grass has been cut and the birds are nesting all over the place. <br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/JCZzVstPGnDXFppOTkWys2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibav3LdzgZus5zSKSpi7EoZ2xfOjSRRokCor9FiRGFbuL1vznBvbQIPQnBJwq1bmqDrIsjTv6PpBvqdbgqliO-dKQAhL2l7DmdVWdyeXZSNoX7GB909DTPp9k1fWMxqre7AoJKyLYtndI/s800/DSC00128.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Areas of long grass have been left to provide nectar sources and cover for birds and small mammals. In combination with the short grass this will provide some variety of habitat. Better air circulation will improve the health of the trees and reduce scab on the fruit. Mechanical mowing is a short term solution - in the long term we will hopefully fence the site and reinstate sheep grazing.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/P585W6mMNJGGiAc8NnCZgGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_47HJ-Q-obvO8WYdOL0aFseQSZN4Kao8Xb88xc_s4hSoXdph5aYuGeGWVqSVV450ywuS_J6Yx2vOEItWb2bbeCOy_kUvZgYQDF0a3eYiEz58nmOSctZ_YE9qAhHKiS99kXcLc6rhe9hI/s800/DSC00134.JPG"width="640" /></a>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-83691860669834361742010-05-16T12:11:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:49:13.845-08:00Bait hives for honey bees<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/lHsJKeKcbOleAqKL5J5VV2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE00bzxf2OSjj9iJBRjo5vLom3jXafJeBNNSTC_WPMBJMf3tItPOsjWUKRpX0oAqA4xdOvEdp7UwMqRI9EksMhGtJvtr4s_IzTu4spIk9m54JU_ZcYh9NuoU1wtS-oORr_aWpD_CtZGDE/s800/DSC00099.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />My friend <a href="http://www.apples-and-pears.com/">Tanya</a> is a natural beekeeper- that is, one that does not use chemicals and tries to encourage as natural a life cycle as possible for her colonies. She has loaned me two bait hives, one for each of my orchards in Charingworth. Bait hives are the empty first story of a hive that has been used by a colony previously. Theoretically, the smell of residual amounts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propolis">propolis</a> and wax attracts scout bees that are on the look out for a new home for a naturalised colony that is ready to swarm. This swarm then may colonise the hive, and as it grows you can gradually increase the size of the beehive to accommodate them. The bees will then help pollinate the orchard effectively, and you can harvest HONEY from them! Mmmm.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/0oHudUTq4KEwBmB3lUYVTmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyhpQNCnVT8tiTA4jHu2uWD2UL4CzgcveDP6DV8IH73QEwFIRoUeqfyxfh9g3adT343K3ZydBpq43oElL-gmmhOJDCMgTdOjw-BMoTt0vK-vahpThtRFc2W45OucyQpKuzZ7eN-BiPg0/s800/DSC00098.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/O6Oxl0ZyCyYIAo70jD_hGGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxgtVlx9S-3GAVAmTRZOcnmOv2qXpPI4vhNv9UdbQwxXxiHwn-zjsBNYBR0l1eBpkydgbrF3bSSl7aSAMrRmH4l9aQG3fpEdSZ56FmouYt7h1knRil9ZjPdhqsYRJb9BlsLSLTBvhOog/s800/DSC00110.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/uFEEKf3doO1bszGS3-7neGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluitUR0LA9bfoLu652U3WRD3pwydEp0NGBeIXS870Uz4nLhQhrxncK1_T-vNeDRTGI9yyx_7VmDosT3ID7WyfqSi6nbBMP3w5bH5YLFRCnU_QGo5xNeHZozFtc-pKcdxqm7a8hT6La50/s800/DSC00104.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Have a look at this secret glade I made in the 1940s orchard last week using my strimmer. It is quite magical to be enclosed by blossoming trees on all sides.<br /><p></p>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-25616822273993289112010-05-11T03:41:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:46:05.593-08:00Preparing for the blossom...<A href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/5O3oYKQ3GNeOx7elJ5wdZGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiq9Uw9c2IvuWwLOhCcTuSEQZIpXm47lyQE8rv6DDCSnVHzN3U0eaS3PLN9E47j58eAMn8Vhdu-V-ZVxl5Yecd93Ws_-cXe_4ppmOQjWyjqPnLVzJ0uIdVUzhMcT5kWWSPBlTER4fqZg/s800/DSC00044.JPG"width="640"></A> <br />After all the pruning activity of February and March, spring finally arrived and it was time to clear up the enormous volumes of prunings that had accumulated. Issac, Will and Freddie helped me spend a day consolidating the piles. Pruning offcuts are very sappy and extremely difficult to burn en masse. We decided the best option was to make several huge bonfires and leave the wood through summer to dry out before burning most of it. Any larger diameter pieces have already been stacked under each tree and on the orchard perimeter to slowly rot down.<br /><p></p><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/INGFrB0tT6f4UQfpgJgnYmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovMS5kGCSqj2kwliBDBu185aJNNFTi2Z-eq0YKY3Z55CIfxj7P7ZbguqN7W6KNWeMViRX3a0VY7GH2pnA3Z95a556h95tI35vPkgLI0l7QccuEqVN26-YkVZaJYGFnDvlDfUlcoDEzaM/s800/DSC00067.JPG"width="640"></A> In the middle of those two piles you can see one of the new trees I planted in March. This one is <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/ashmeads-kernel.aspx">Ashmead's Kernel</a> - an old Gloucestershire variety that makes excellent juice.<br /><p></p><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/UJ4HYg3Y04Qrpocti0EdvWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai6LTnb7xS1bYa-sTqNSV1OHmBVHXbSeOkEfNZLil0Zc3GAYk3egVcY754vk33CVhnjNy2J7_1ZJhBGmqE0wLtadmTCa8UKWEwu1q9Q6ftqMQVTFRTjq7f0VXstADu5nTll4zYv_AhTs/s800/DSC00055.JPG"width="640"></A> The exciting revelation of the tidy up was that for the first time we could see down the length of the avenues in the 1920s orchard. This photo was taken about a month ago and since then the grass has grown considerably. I have arranged for someone to come in with a topper and small cabin-less tractor and cut in on Saturday. After that I should have the photogenic combo of freshly cut grass and blossoming trees to spoil you with! <br /><p></p><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/XfOYr1sRd7FaR1ja40GdJWN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJXchQJnyyedu1dgHhRjuAr7FmOBbutuOitMrMnAnarmNhp2d2rSK4PcgeDXmVSBdB4hk-VgsezHZTt7LB8gMCizQvs6nYkg9X6CadFLUoDw8kLdN3_91oTCR2JCOrjwQHMvjPirL4SA/s800/DSC00041.JPG"width="640"></A><br /><br /><A href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/7fOtZGTlN8v0phX-pdtvTGN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><IMG src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngFblr4o90Bcyz32yG4iNQE92Z3ZkRSMxjPvIKW14ODDv0fgmV_t7tYgGvGZn7y1wIwbCU50s5a2Mb1m8PPjK1YvMyTSvutS1KPY9QpulerSfuQ1DR0iWGrBlhdEa0PDdFIdfkh1Ire4/s800/DSC00043.JPG"width="640"></A> <br />We also cleared out both of the<a href="http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/content_images/pdf/Nestboxes_for_use_on_Trees_2.pdf"> barn owl boxes</a>. I had seen the Jackdaws going into one of them, and it transpired that both boxes we full with sheep's wool and sticks from their nest-building attempts. Jackdaws fill the boxes with material and then build a nest right at the top. Barn owls will only ever colonise a box that is empty and they do not make a nest. I think it will be an ongoing task to keep them clear until they are colonised - but once barn owls are in residence they can use the same box year after year. I have also found this <A href="http://www.bocn.org/factfile_detail.asp?id=46">Jackdaw-proof owl box design</A> which may be something to consider if you are thinking of installing one yourself... <br /><p></p>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-78042315502523388762010-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:002011-10-29T02:03:07.606-07:00Pave over paradise to put up a parking lot? Wold's End orchard, Chipping Campden.<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/H7YUiWt85GfR1Iy_wovjzQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP9P65d9ldngoDCclzk-7sFMQX4RMBMp17Vm4KSogi1pK8PwqSqr_-aNyjQAmflqrcrBzfjEtUlBmh0AlkV5_CZ7bq0txrYcuv7MCwxNMUvrws4XQb2zS6K0OcUf0aIYcMm1oy64IA_k/s800/IMG_5256.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Wold's End orchard is close to the centre of my beautiful local town, Chipping Campden. Over the last 30 years this orchard has been at the heart of an argument that has polarised opinion in the town. The land is owned by <a href="http://www.chippingcampdenonline.org/campdensociety/">The Campden Society</a> who successfully applied for planning permission to convert a section of the orchard (about 1/3) into a car park. Later the permission was changed to permit the building of a new doctor's surgery. Fortunately, The Campden Society does not currently have the money to undertake the development and things are on hold - but the plans have not been retracted.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/C2ybzIRjzBIgqneYJhxwLw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAa-kTR_Uak7MX7D6IimnmFCXUIQzYAkyjfnc8mnyXt6MExadwLGKk_LFyWEJk2-R8V4R4oWsj9v2cuADVVW-ueEz1G2ZxPYlDlj3BkAyb4lqTnDPC96OPKWi-rnyNSHfG7Bj26EZsqo/s800/IMG_5241.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />The Campden Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes (bold my own):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chippingcampdenonline.org/campdensociety/Welcome/aims.html">1. To <strong>secure the protection</strong> of the architectural and <strong>historic quality </strong>of Campden, <strong>its open spaces and its natural setting</strong>.<br />2. To promote high standards of planning, architecture and landscaping in Campden.<br />3. To stimulate interest in and concern for the <strong>character and beauty</strong> of Campden.</a><br /><br />The tarmac path in this picture was added for 'pedestrian access'. Some work had to be undertaken to prevent the planning permission from expiring.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/YFofCQyjc82ev9APpynhMA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSAZGFVY1-lw42y6ml9gJaSyCuXQCPTwL2kgyEexio757I3SenYB2QTu5al2oXVoLytiafpSsRBSTW1yOzzCq0vSvkV3b2Z_M75Ub5OrrOiCSGZIipiGmjrqBXArauyfkiccEZAdFunQ/s800/Image4.jpeg"width="640"/></a><br />Ordnance survey map of Chipping Campden from between c.1843 and c.1893. Notice the abundance of small orchards in the land to the right of Wold's End.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/RxIVQtvtQyClYDczFoOd2Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOim92w1OVPXxKlv4u1k88osgB7lrL0aG0IT3rTOzKq6l9PWKYxZ_5DaNDqEI7Ioy1FiTMgHO6lhdA45_v0V5ZKYkV_-4mkWejEL0d4bINuuzRoc_EPWE2cEtBkzALTQjbMHXV5c4iT1w/s800/google%20earth.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />Wold's End orchard is a rare example of an old traditional orchard that retains most of its original trees close to the centre of a historic Cotswold market town. Traditional orchards in towns and villages are very vulnerable to development and successful resistance to such changes happens only rarely (e.g. <a href="http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/community/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=53&sid=b892e9be7b4fdd2937308c0a8785918a#p62">Brockworth orchard</a>). Campden appears to have changed relatively little in the last 160 years, but many of the orchards to the east of the town have succumbed to development. Interestingly, apparently the boundary for the <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1063">'conservation area' </a> includes all the green space surrounding the orchard, but not the orchard itself. Has it always been earmarked for development?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/1H3LebC7zSqSTOjijI8WUA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaalcXmE4SNqDmiSlqujVRGZcvq4xd91_PhEFXwZpzSeckKrjCWRlkQ5cSqi61JTOhPWhu12vDbrHsjVvNcEGCTRcfoJzmTFnhSMHQIgUVGh_UzuQd98S5CWSD8rjGxHfNU4TwvVZyaw4/s800/IMG_5257.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />There are 47 old trees left in the orchard, many of great age and rich in veteran tree features that are so ecologically diverse. This is one of the reasons why traditional orchards are now a <a href="http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/english-orchards009.html#cr">UK Biodiversity Action Plan 'priority' habitat</a>. The one in the foreground here is almost completely hollow and would be a good place to look for <a href="http://www.ptes.org/files/399_noble_chafer_fact_sheet.pdf">Noble Chafer (<em>Gnorimus nobilis</em>)</a> frass.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/5qK22GMBA8eb9frKGhDrlmN8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi73S48qoeaz8CytDfwu5-EQYjDhS8ezV6PGAoFZrKqUkoSxs6Eo-2U7oTykPWCfjYK5pttLVdOmGqlYZyzP1CUOOg2WPg7IgZiX5Zwm7Ga07kVsmijHh7GU-9MyCjBHOi5Fhp4_iKR9g/s800/IMG_5240.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />All the fruit trees populating the edge abutting Back End lane will be lost in the proposed development. That includes the three seen here in the foreground (the nearest is an ash). I'm not sure security lights will age so gracefully. A huge amount of soil will also need removing to flatten this section.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/fD941ogFmytiH15HxMHTTQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUs8P3xSjplHdBP2X_CdCQ0VnGUwKNJEV34J7-oND53hKr3eYN7-DQVBj6cbwqtPM094-YdFh4mNL6x2T-wgaUlL1iYws5c7ako7xqiI4WGSGXj3CVX4jlZmy87f3i8DxyO5ax82C9L4/s800/IMG_5253.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />In 1994 there was a <a href="http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/media/documents/Planning/ForwardPlanning/Appendix_B_Topographical_Survey_by_Cotswold_Archaeological_Trust.pdf">topographical survey</a> of the site undertaken by the Cotswold Archaeological Trust. It found that the most significant archaeological feature of the site was the ridge and furrow earthworks that are likely to be of medieval origin and <em>'lend themselves to a visual appreciation of the medieval and later agricultural activity surrounding the settlement of Chipping Campden'</em>. Orchards and woodlands are excellent places to see these agricultural fingerprints that are quickly eroded by mechanised farming methods.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/B0JRwDzhiHUIOOIvE8tkz2N8SBHHy-jpxd4DkaWO3IA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujOS6fhrhc9lUolG-qQaU_CAFd21ZmPJ_n-WtbSY6K3X7KmRUGb7fsLGVTc-6hq3SbqtaOD_LiGBtUvdTstvqdYOmCHhrfqZNqD-n93MRhHUh5Bfe3YX1tGt1i7vr3dHroQBNIAEQyH8/s800/IMG_5259.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Certain members of The Campden Society seem to have forgotten that its role is for promoting conservation and not development. Fortunately there are people in the town that appreciate that our heritage does not always come packaged in Cotswold stone - the group 'Caring for Campden' have been fighting to preserve the orchard, listing <a href="http://www.chippingcampden.org/index.php?/site/article/campden_car_park_saga/">arguments against</a> the initial parking justification. I can now add to their arguments my own: that from my experience of visiting and surveying the ecological aspects of traditional orchards, the Wold's End orchard is site of immense value.<br /><br />Crucially, recent efforts have been made to restore the site, with many new trees on appropriate vigorous rootstocks that will ensure there is a new generation to replace those that die. A central position in a historic and popular town should allow school children, residents and the general public to be educated in the value of traditional orchards: the ecological value, their place as a legacy of our farming heritage and as a means of reconnecting an increasingly urbanised nation with biodiversity. Acres and acres of the countryside are monocultures of arable crops with very little variety or room for nature - why do the car parks and new houses have to be built on these rare fragments of land that have interest above and beyond a focus on productivity?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/RzImPaRk6LbDKMMqy2VmIg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOu8ckOzfEcFDf8KFcLrrF__uZ6wheog_08H6kYgTX9H_d0KG5yi2-MUjQ6h_xbsc_mkIYJ_EIWhMLJ2FWp4M5w5xH6kyL9aZmZBEBcNXhF3q0mKBUm-2F0nyY9UM5oh9tC3_d3jq_zw/s800/IMG_5251.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />However, the future is not entirely gloomy for Wold's End orchard. Unlike the majority of traditional orchards in Britain, this one is not left unused. Chipping Campden School has rented the site on a 'peppercorn rent' (i.e. very small amount) and uses it as a practical space for their Environmental and Land-based Science GCSE and 'rural crafts' course. Children have helped to restore the orchard by grafting the existing varieties and caring for the Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs that have provided pork for the school canteen. 20 new apple trees, 2 pears and a walnut have been planted and trees have been pruned. Numerous fruit trees have been planted around the school as well.<br /><br />Have a look at this <a href="http://www.cotswoldjournal.co.uk/news/local/4471198.TV_presenter_joins_fight_for_orchard/">article</a>.<br /><br />And if you can, go down and visit the orchard and make your own mind up. And <a href="http://www.chippingcampdenonline.org/campdensociety/Contact-Test/">get in touch</a> with the Campden Society and get your views heard.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-10168038999631442392010-03-16T11:07:00.000-07:002011-11-30T05:42:18.670-08:00It's spring and the birds are moving in...<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Dc5GyMQdELqB_rMvVAkXA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjWSjmRyca2W9-Hj9gGVmuvc6lZnfz1rDZ66WeE-dz7O6xbqS80H-FZzuaM8OPYXcn4wQe2aQUoRSRetnYenoN444eUBPbd_CqE55M6APr8jh1zd3yNUs2k1jXTbV0U-E73tpYP_ySWM/s800/IMG_5616.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Two hours ago I took this photo of a red kite flying over the 1940s orchard! What a sign of how successful the <a href="http://www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/red_kites_reintroduction.html">Chilterns re-introduction program</a> has been. Indeed, whilst I was getting a bus to Gatwick airport last week I saw over fifteen of them when we passed down through Buckinghamshire towards London. In medieval times they were common in towns and cities where they fed on carrion and waste in the streets, rather like vultures do in other countries.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XKqgFmnmDUBPokFeBkYVnA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5Jl4eizn-AuoODb4Pi9AYWnUr4OlmyNJ80fiWpS7jS9jNJHOo-PTP76vqeyAJTopIVw6HuTip551PIZJKj6IXfkkK3W7-hS6nyKE3965rilkHwhQX8MnpjSMRzLnsRtPXF6AlWiIixw/s800/IMG_5615.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />My funding has stretched further than anticipated and so I was able to direct Issac into the 1940s orchard for a spare day. Here he just concentrated in doing the chainsaw work I can't do on my own, such as raising the crowns and removing any large diseased branches. I saw a few <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/y/yellowhammer/index.aspx">yellowhammer</a> down by the pheasant feeder where they always seem to hang out. It's a <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/status_explained.aspx">red list</a> species due to recent population declines that are almost certainly due to the intensification of farming methods.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ifSDCAgogYbaZYDy0CkrLQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaYBtaUKeByRF1CWEi1ZgDxghZ8m9VpNY6HxZ-ii0BPnv4fuccTV3t5T4Uki5Ru0WcslyB-8kAbklk8sO3zVejPqL_a4dVfNX1Q19vFI5KpFNBoA3RB6Kb0Cx3Z-Lpq82L7yyzyXO92A/s800/4.12.08%20(8).jpg"width="640" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0ABAToeoCgrlPK9oZaoAEg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4fon_EV6ld2nCIUK77do_jPhwU2GmP-V84oAlSaLUa_Zi00REWYKQFGGgp_TP6sDDKS32Kquos-WjCRoDZRA4rCvaEvcKs5SfYS1ywPc1JLRYvcwaDWUZMhacdWGnZHZTbO3J2-I6m0/s800/16th%20march%20(2).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />We have finished pruning the 1920s orchard now and its looking pretty amazing. The main job left is getting rid of the immense volumes of prunings that we have created. The offcuts are all very green and sappy and I have been agonising over the most efficient way of dealing with them. A mobile chipper is one option, but the prunings are quite hard to handle and I think the best option may be to make several large bonfires and leave the wood to season for five months before burning it all.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-27559181962383859922010-03-07T09:39:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:40:28.596-08:00Victorian orchard eccentricities<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/cQKk8gtOGQwKmlCdVedm-Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFscLPeGWO4p5cchRx52tNYpNIb-iRlDaBfHt6_tAdBy9els3fFbzIoycKJ5kP1CcAZvd2JpRBzyS76gCIWWMZq_m1tyt0Vlh0FMId4Cg0UjFzdI31lnIv6Gh4RS1Gm90cAEo0TozloE/s800/IMG_5264.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Here are a few more gems from "<a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/oh-what-joy-to-have-been-gentleman.html">The Fruit Grower's Guide</a>" (by John Wright F.R.H.S.), an utterly comprehensive three volume orcharding bible published in 1892. More specifically they are some of the more bizarre "illustrative diagrams" by Worthington G. Smith and George Shayler. <strong>Oh, to have a son and call him Worthington!</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/bLrCXcwn7F1jiPFUuWX1VQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB-nyuheyfm92TrumnZ3VU4i6ngKwDBdtOHoz10_Dhh91teG2_tNf5Cpwp9ykYTk5XQxDmp89VK0jIMAhUn6ip1dSGBLGFggFWgQVzrwZQIH1-HC5Y29D4vhtKAA5ZOLqn1hwxn3FPqw/s800/IMG_5287.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />A diagram that forces all of us to reconsider how committed we really are to growing fruit. Imagine calling across from your young espalier in the walled garden - "Worthington, any idea where I may have left my <em>Parisian</em>?" And would you even feel worthy enough to wield a <em>Wharncliffe</em>, with it's ivory handle and three blades? They were in another league, those Victorian pruners.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/xazAaBMCaCPE8bEGClo4Zg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04n00M4XRnYIBl595U31phyphenhyphenXJqrgonbYeVuOhrdzftFdKwtHJlzQ72eTj7sqiPx_FCYRwsXrokP3P4ifcgdq61WdNPVMFJ6mk8I42V6Xd7pU7_TDRXNCv74D0DAKT9XTF_UUFhy0Tjps/s400/IMG_5299.JPG" /></a><br />Look at this. It takes my breath away. Was this his first knapsack pump design or do you think it may have been part of a range? Chelsea, Battenberg, Cob (a basic model)... What a man. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/eqEkdxPv427_jMKO3cK40g?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZQiSElrjW80bSylQSz-JhxltHjhf-1Uuu4L_m5wLmWliDiQt3cu1UGqPsZFu2cBlNWPFMZecKeevO4h4CbNAjIdNhKPK8qiFkpzhv3DKl9k1jHkgS-uzqmyB7NIWMxVHE9oHLL-6WRw/s400/IMG_5291.JPG" /></a><br />No words.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-46415843253187944112010-03-03T13:06:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:38:53.294-08:00Planting vintage varieties<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/db4WY4cMJ7gKAy3GpG-dNQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1Io56kqcQmDAhlbN2s27dCG0BP7B668yoJVjK1QZWgcpoZnRWxzgcP7-YG1WDZ1HmJdg1goPXgoJe9SO9DbU8oIlzqgV5zFEM8F9Wu4hGgXnJHAd1sythSpEB2WE_4mVtjAOfHvU_q0/s800/2nd%20march%20(12).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Yesterday I drove across to Drakes Broughton to visit Kevin at <a href="http://www.walcotnursery.co.uk/">Walcot Organic Nursery</a> and see if I could shark a few late trees to plant out. Finding fruit trees anywhere on proper standard rootstocks (i.e. M25) is quite difficult as more dwarfing forms tend to be preferred and are more convenient for a garden scale. Couple that with the fact that it's quite late in the year to be planting fruit trees and I was lucky they hadn't been completely cleaned out. I came away with an <strong>Ashmead's Kernel</strong> (Dave Kaspar's favourite) and the cider varieties <strong>Dabinett</strong>, <strong>Michelin</strong> and <strong>Tom Putt</strong>. I also got a crab apple as they are traditionally used to help improve pollination rates since they hold their blossom for a long time. I wanted to buy a few maidens to put in the ground this year and then by this time next year I will hopefully have fifty more trees of rare local varietes that I am grafting onto M25 next week. <strong>If you can't buy it, make it yourself.</strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/Ss8SBja-U5AOyTZS-r7Aqg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7CRaMEOrL6DAcvRDqNFqv9xEOgiBdyiYS6usdUFcSphd0qqiYcLb-IxDdCeZ4y4wwtOfeTgyvjnyrdddO4rok7QM_lq09O9RKRoTnsi2fs86ObFuVT5TB7n922GiuBffhjTXf9gWVmA/s800/2nd%20march%20(4).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />The pruning is also going at a great pace - we now only have three trees to go before the 1920s orchard is completely pruned. (That's six years growth off fifty 90 year old Bramley apple trees.)<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/UereEzm_Nzc-tFEsBzrpEw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wrv2Vbs9R5_ijbvJOz5l0dvD7N8cVWgqRMG0LnK3B-ngrT_bgEAboMKysAUC6P5OYVkzdXJK2TewkEIsGUa2OpyImjN7de8WLzPrN5rF1jj9ZnPMx2FBX_D_UzqySZqWf977ssERV5Y/s800/2nd%20march%20(8).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />You can almost hear this old beast sucking in the fresh air!Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-80221699502153699782010-02-28T06:35:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:36:25.345-08:0038 trees pruned, 12 to go!<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/zcBXcuKiXR-ausYBwS0Qaw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjJFEhQgY3WckPtPTACOL69IzXAQAQbD79NDxMnXKumWmsMw4kySw8n2gpfMy9utiA8XvZeMnbTA2Q50ox-KA6R-TZoVoMxvfhMfjyN90c-p90BhXo_ElwfWGKYkGWzIr0QLcDydjG8k/s800/feb%2024th%20tree%2029%20surgery%20(5).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />This sequence shows <a href="http://www.inixonlandscapes.com/about.htm">Isaac</a> helping me tackle a tree that we thought was in danger of splitting down its trunk. It had become very spreading, with a large weight of wood a long way from the crown. The trunk appeared to have a clear weak point as well. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/IM2bkicxmZRCL_qTIo3KSw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW36BUSshm2pWjR9ghxNLmdyjt6c2gLjC0X9qqg5a4tqngZxDDzhwbzuh9zVfphOP2DecCPSog9SS5N9Y9NchVOvAMi2qlkJaIVhCS2W0V-ne5aEv5IBbxtIiyCemVUZjFKcqTnsCdMHc/s800/tree%2029%20surgery%20series.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />By bringing the arms in, the tree would be much less likely to split in two. Fortunately Issac is trained to undertake this kind of major surgery. It makes you think what would have been involved before the days of chainsaws!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/Msju68OgA3jUPTTTKVApqg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaS6SFUNz6a7waKNpeUJmLuv8QMUgUO9LqV6_lwmh91GxjKX3JXyoR3dKoLR-o170LE4cFq-lB6JOK7hyphenhyphenJTdXEWdnEtclOfPf136rbUnFx2m2jKE9WVWD0Xk9qPnaDZ6IR-5vyYWF-QE/s800/feb%2024th%20tree%2029%20surgery%20(7).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />On the right of this shot you can see the water shoots I have partially cut and bent down horizontally to grow out and eventually replace the branches we have removed. This technique seems rather brutal and may increase chances of infection at these wounds, but the trees are remarkably resilient and thus it is a risk worth taking.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/avx0GqowmLu-0rWngS1cgA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc2mu-8mbWIZ5-ZWjAVb2_s0DCyGwM8g6uzi_OdLaJ4M36ZIGXahLAPqIkMF-7xRouw0CoMoNOjyrVvskN7NUIQ3fqsNVfHtiLVY_XJ3uRD60WAc00i0F6fZ-iPXZikiCQv9NSdrD7N0/s800/tree%209.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />Here is a tree we didn't get to in time to save. It is now supported by the ends of its spreading branches and will gradually decay. I plan to leave it in-situ as a habitat feature of these wood-pasture ecosystems.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/_Lu-A53r7hh1Yz2jBKs5pQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaI4w_Ey2V01hisXExji1x9bXCUm-JJYW8xp6SQsonzGWKxbPLPbDWr9Irb32gzZwuql_VcyyyqiDywcK7gxuvCfrQo6lA2ls4v7oHg_Gv8iiyyIBWGfasj4U7KvhULa9cenH-Y4Kg1A/s800/pruning%20progress.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />The blue trees have been pruned by Issac and myself in the last few weeks. The five pink trees were pruned by my friends during the <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/02/pruning-party-2010.html">pruning party</a> I hosted last weekend. The two yellow trees are standing dead or have split and will be left to decay gracefully.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-17936550276709406102010-02-23T07:42:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:33:56.948-08:00Pruning party 2010<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/HCLNUwh4gk8G9SCf1Zu_pQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTwgdTaOISqmgRTm5xo1csdGWwDask0ovpFTHF6JcS1WGAcujshZp-F8LEHRpzP2squ2-3s4jquuRup42gxL2ci2nVpredFMCXCHlRF1nk8DdM0ke-buEOlP5JyQ-1U3Ov4_z0YpGYiA/s800/mikeys%20group%20photo.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />It was a question we had all been asking ourselves: what can a dozen people armed with saws do to an old orchard in a day? Will the outcome be disastrous? Can the ecological and horticultural aims be kept in balance? Will the cider kill the work ethic? Perhaps more than anything we were blessed by the weather on a day fine enough to inspire even the most <a href="http://constantfear.blogspot.com/2008/01/dendrophobia-is-irrational-fear-of.html">dendrophobic</a> Londoner into considering all those water shoots and congested crowns.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/RPhf2e4vFH9hflF1QErjoA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw27vXTBQ3Q5YhnzIAJ9ilVlUgdGK4sVp5maOy55fhSAqCMkw8sHLFsUADsshD_cqjYLN2GUoNuO1PAYCyqJOsu4zcsHQc_h6v44hH_02PePyExhvodi3DMuvAD4BMBK3uugr9ByvVgI/s800/IMG_5387.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Teaching people about pruning is difficult, and especially so with the unusual situation at Charingworth. Here Bramley apple trees on vigorous rootstocks have been commercially managed for over 70 years. We are now attempting to ease them into a less intensive management regime, whilst at the same time preserving all the valuable types of <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/conderton-worcestershire-orchard-of.html">habitat</a> that orchards can accumulate over time.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/3NXbYjwKIjvsZqFX0AMwjQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywThCLVRByzYWe9zL4sc8ZlNtGHtW0F183djTAO3gHBUXxCqlwuWK98yiRG8Lr_y9pfR_AMA897Wt6CNayzp_wcZgQc9Z3hdIIETacobvh9dt7ZJprkWVhrlwB7SI7hyphenhyphenswIjb2GfWNmo/s800/IMG_5390.JPG" /></a><br />I started my friends off on a couple of trees I had already half-pruned. This eased them into the basics of dealing with the water shoots without too many confusing or important decisions to make.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/qLJivuF8z-lpccOfEi-3sQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YvxFjIJfcgFns_t9WRat37d8JYUZPEfRzFdi37n5HLW-bYDovishr9cJump0LBvnvTZoS8ZOoLT3u7arW806w186-khcdm3vrZwcj-_f_B5ed18gHUdpqJux07JHr-5eNeosV00TIo8/s800/IMG_5391%20resized.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />The basic message was: clear the crown and lower branches from water shoots and then thin the majority of the rest, choosing a few well positioned shoots to take the vigour. Remove anything crossing or pointing back in. Easy, breezy, beautiful.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/0DnhlxxOdr9z8jUBiRPyKg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUrhpb-xPDlYtco4NswECIJxQdvdXZsa3rQ1xnYomlQYmAunN-wn5ruKpkA1RztP7vPNUjt18qQ1CXrlG7k9iB0IVMAAk4XDN_Xi4OGPh9JWNTWszdjUz2e2hpMUhqCb5Fu6te3DEhQ0/s800/IMG_5407.JPG" /></a><br />I was lucky to have Harry and Tommy back from the <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/from-left-pruners-harry-guinness-myself.html">pruning weekend</a> last year. It looks like Harry is giving some advice to Luca in this photo - knowledge sharing for fruit bearing!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/i1tw07Z3hnzX53UxBQsVPA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuvEPzZRCJhUeXY62Z-f08916VZJS0f17hfj-OQbvLKizIvoLJjAK8uwSP_T6n0UUHtCXDLiMzt2y0FjIiX_b1GW60NlPn4osVsBHmn3Y6t2FT7ajR3y6OAodvQ1J52nCeSOHBUaqLfc/s800/IMG_5442%20resized.jpg"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/cM9_5doFooxTPg5KTLdObA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiHEYJ7VJiQCay22mQwCNVTjYCP20AF00A129SKV4foanB42S11pv6mifcZ_NHtiguWjEuNALu4vGhtA4BPhMpQUovaPQAMg4dcury_XrswniUTVQCDemvi-Dz_x6kIUYbr-GKlqj15I/s800/IMG_5399%20resized.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />We brought a load of well seasoned wood into the orchard to try and create a fire ferocious enough to consume the piles of sappy offcuts that have been created. I think the only workable solution will be to hire a mobile chipper for a day once the pruning is finished.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/YgziqzU6r71wfvNLDWcnkg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKDDPP59KZYLiMusmMH1ht0RBsCLfvFCTYTN1k9HkO45zH1QOG0WDYNXahwadO-jXawRA_1qRFWGKPJvW3T4EnW3vmxNZjmKL0jEnecFOl0xrD4TwLONTVVZUETaYkeQJoScAjvgJQ-U/s800/IMG_5435.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />A "Blitzkrieg" campaign on tree 31.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/sK4DZGpwyJMriEV7ngwv2w?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09c6PRYXlqurx_2oj_w7ekOMLjygaxSCJid83Ifq_WUt2vPGqD25nh76rcgR2SkH3JFV4pZ3PeFhZLAAG_JYd4Eu9yoTaQkQR7QLP-67PiGBXJywdm-lXHRcVJe1u6AasbK7MPCqzEJ4/s800/IMG_5457.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/aPhu9qVEn9_zSLnI_D0rpQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FFzq-_TJY5RiJli7zbU79ffTqneO7gEvnjO6ilStABwtReJnJOvjwnc-WO3xNYIrfssXW7Ndqqsg3urtDxafVRk5egF62hi17cPt1uNnNco0kHaV-bCIP16M6n0qazlDA_Lfw4y6vlQ/s800/IMG_5441.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />I picked up twenty litres of medium sweet <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/08/priors-tipple-old-orchard-cider.html">Prior's Tipple </a>cider to keep the mood buoyant. Alongside hot Cumberland sausages with mustard and onion marmalade, this made for an idyllic lunch amongst the trees.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/xJtj8-Dt4P131T5XvGaMAQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_aziRK4EH4ns8l0xIR9guJ6wQ03FliLJC3OHCSm5WmQNQqXVch_cGnL_JZAN1oWTWRBJjhmSrwj17Xan1sEfOxOaMTPEDy6WwC4aTo8gZenUSHd9zCzCCptm6DtddWpmCkmOsG7HkWk/s800/IMG_5446.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/r8yM8Ji66zel2QjLQF15mQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbimgrWhsoNC0qxg3BgfuIDEWvsbl6bMl63w62i15seXS0wBnYXQoNwN6k7ucm1HUR8_6Ieln4B-4VF5O_olvzplsUCwzcFCUCYNmi_e6pC-pkdkcBHYE0_AxN9wSpm1gkBUlupr-44M/s800/IMG_5411.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/2eOqLq6ZCadEo-JPtLv7Qg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLY4qCBlsAu8KN5YNdAO791cg480iaWflX9ugF58CT8lAs8vhfVWmIYpHAuLU881Q7WK_8LeRANryurEmYXqxjfe3RGU4dXcBR160tU2qJDtznC-YmqZlRy-5JbTKkGPhMZ_QC-Q6hWs/s800/IMG_5414.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/aUmW4DLMKNnAHSu21C5V-Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O57Fz8UTT4MXprTzt4m_JFP3Y1ADgyEqIt3IfZWoCd44AJzYbxk0d1l_wAJY5ej0TuhVtYfPIgv4b4RFj_5hm1kGCXd3rKsumwOkKS1OEnPdfkzU6JKqqsZMNEfeJtHmCrTY_1Q27d4/s800/pruning%20progress.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />By the end of the day we had pruned five trees (shown here in pink). This was more than I had hoped for and it was so thrilling that everyone seemed to really get into it. This takes the total up to 27, which is over half way! <br /><br />More importantly it allowed a few people to experience the beauty of old orchards first-hand. There is nothing quite like sitting in the arms of a pruned apple tree with a glass of cider to allow communion with, in <a href="http://jamesrussellontheweb.blogspot.com/2009/09/man-made-eden-excerpt.html">James Russell's</a> words, that "man-made Eden". <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/y7l5cE5vDDNsGGCDZGYsSQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eBT5uyM5OOAPUq5hU-0Z_fHCNPLbrh-ltwU_kS8dOM60kCduJa07LLFTBjDwVMLm8eLxxf68YqRhaQb4O3gC7qnPG2W2Ish6ZSKAu6tW4RFCBG6tF1w6EgRBw6jKAIbneYOcyWk4-ds/s800/IMG_5460%20resized.jpg"width="640" /></a>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-49945964494820138362010-02-17T06:15:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:25:56.206-08:00A professional pruner in the orchards<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EQOUpGLRW46wxs9feEQnFw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdraZkM7MciAxE5X7gNAipflsrHRi0ewXRA0dEJ-Ncya6eZ_yC1LgJb4QntgQ3TlmmV_ZWLMnlcjqtIZQw4wXb4GhvSUCc5EzSHzauMxMQoYLAs-oPaSqgTRNf-04GjRnsq4FukYx_9Q/s800/16th%20feb.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />This week <a href="http://www.inixonlandscapes.com/index.htm">Isaac Nixon</a> started working for me at Charingworth to help with the pruning. He is a professionally qualified tree surgeon with lots of experience pruning in commercial orchards.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8GQ5EXmJTgtjretnhuWNTA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL4Zs6lUz7qIEM7fjLg48jVx-Us0AQF7OPO-_R2gL5u46Q86gX3ZGrgXWxJvHiHAtsjcoRML5M_sTaPi0cchRFK1X2xFWs3UTzRLx01nvvDHsw8hw8eAMFtnd5to5p86i7aqYXiLNMUY/s800/16th%20feb%20(11).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />That smaller chainsaw in the middle is designed for carving wood. It is good to use for pruning as there is less kick back than from a top handled tree surgeon's saw and this makes it safer to use up ladders around your face. Obviously, this kind of work can only be done by a trained professional.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Q0L4UvDzgJbHOU4cCqfIdw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJQBmQt-XlcwKGNXw8xK9vERqV2rk-ktZ8VAH_lOJiWMgGNBoKSzjypYahK0vNrN9E4JVuI3TPjOMYOLYNFN3j3IVm0KljbYccHtdElqHJtafHCeiCA1sahcVHYVbPkrF0SX-vLrS2n0/s800/16th%20feb%20(15).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />This tree had tilted over and needed a bit more major shaping to even up the weight distribution. Apple trees can recover from toppling and this tree should respond by increased buttressing around the trunk and more root growth. It will gradually realign its canopy over the next few years.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nj4OA8ZIKY83nW5AyOguIg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPyj2CMPBmqvIs9MAzl-VuEcyEQMNieEx5ZKr7LKz5tYs-GbL4xkjJkCCsnCNzKCHmt47VJuKTWk_JGlu9xwFHNu1_60NbEuA3LWZTkLx7gB7MokDLiw2bQsrIYdHdspP1N4y-Odky9k/s800/pruning%20progress.jpg"width="640" /></a><br />Chainsaws aren't often associated with the sound of progress, but this case is an exception. In three days we have pruned nine trees, pushing the tally up to nineteen. At this rate we should have finished the 1920s orchard in a fortnight! <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WgaBfyVDsnxqngZrSThHNw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6cL-pByageVdZGBv7Et9XAb5AePoHogA9_WhO3CXB68nBOMvvftuFKuw4IA83s2yGZS1SDN_fwJLNnIV9q5rfEFMet_mKvOxg3nmpyWwUU38uBu1LeecnbMov97AXqCbJkdUgVa03ck/s800/16th%20feb%20(2).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />For the first time in years we are revealing vistas through this ancient orchard. An exciting time!Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-27432263830711560972010-02-15T10:05:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:41:04.484-08:00Victorian orchard masters<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Lz6O-5dCTtOzFI6JyHv9fg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPmpOmAfcfaC-6DnAR7SM9FSLHvobf1_bE_zywfSMWSTu0yho6hCDHK95xfEVI-48r31Vi4NqgRlQYzJ_z1QcVo3hyphenhyphenYC9Bm245vPWOsgNLfPU_j8xgiID2EY1lqO2V9wpE-96jTtwSLA/s800/quote.jpg"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vWIYfji91dF5bm93SvCwzg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aRvCJKgk_QkYvIVYPt8sOy5UV4G24ILCofY8iytY5EudinB1hvghZbgZuXVxMVKldkau_zT7IsukIRqKVuY405wbBPBq-nGdbOz7V_ThnSPf_PGr_c_U4VumCVDpBEcQ1xM_u162KGo/s800/IMG_5267.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Oh what a joy to have been a gentleman fruit grower in Victorian England! My friend has been looking after this tome for her neighbour and let me have a look at it. 'The Fruit Growers Guide', written by John Wright to some three volumes and published in 1892. In time I will show you some of the fascinating details and superb eccentricities of this (very) comprehensive handbook, but first here's a quick peek at a few pages.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EWmiYoqQBVRnGuDn9duZ2g?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFvVGk1Ccfj4E8Yao8fuwv0YTUo-5e9jIa9tWUHCQDatUJIc6PX7n79-kbDZHWQsrLfXXznxfuyKlXvcz2rdNq6swlhb3KlceHZqBVu5O_u6lOC1qFSVNwMoQPqgChOUJdGTkM4Kpnl8/s800/IMG_5278.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />There are many of these beautiful painted plates by Miss May Rivers. I've also seen this <a href="http://www.maphouse.co.uk/prints/Natural%20History/Fruit/THE+FRUIT+GROWERS+GUIDE+++Superb+Colour+Lithographs+by+May+Rivers+1892">website</a> where they are selling these pages for £60 a go - but I fear they have been cut out of editions of this book. Antiques shmantiques! Perhaps this pear 'Bergamotte Esperen' in the 'Bergamy' perry pear I bought off Dave Kaspar? <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vr-iOYSPaL6NCv81P736rQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xgetthj94-mO5VAWZhsOcchHBiwxJBr-rrYKJL0SGNfYG9GQH8Dh9EtloDp8wbOMTL-Pw0p81eM1EkN2IxHiC5a4isv3YKPqm2k6Lw4k5mI33NiXxf1TdpwdZ_IMNIAHbnZReHxaoUM/s800/IMG_5282.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yleHC0AXQPg5VALADBy3oQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5lgzIrGgjb317_ESHxsbtM15v1uBni5RVE5dcb8548I1SHWOPKnxRpgf3qtCyJaqawIcP7ffbq_PfpjUqPive9-mgAO8b09LUfMnjZ-_Gm231r-OQs8uJBCbzmoa-cxkOhRVtlabLxs/s800/IMG_5272.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />It's full of these beautifully detailed pen and ink drawings of branch structures, grafting and pruning techniques. Such admirable commitment to detail.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-3796168649168977892010-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:06:55.590-08:00Building a shelter for pruners<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/GvRfwXbANXv5b7UxQ3oyRw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90IrD56eoIjedZFGms0M0FKz2YTJgC193A571nqDv6KL0vkv2qgcKTdJLLPw8Yif7tfXr0-7Zui1NeTw3BYHxEilJwOHmBqabutTR4pa14TD2Llw7E5rqdauX9cCYYBE3aohsIZJ9DiA/s800/putting%20up%20the%20shelter.jpg" /></a><br />Today, Freddie (a regular helper for the Trust) and I constructed a temporary shelter in the upper orchard to harbour chilly pruners during lunch breaks and teas. We bought a 7m x 11m tarpaulin from <a href="http://www.sas-uk.org/">Stow Agricultural Services</a> in Stow-on-the-Wold and chose a south facing side to one of the more magnificent trees. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring we created more than just a huge apple sail!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/RY2vBhnGeZ0bGtvVw-KJiQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoir1d2wJIWV71E9VtEihW5JeOvkQwqoZD_G_QLCwDlV1Js1L-6rOMnSZlKGz9CbTnOTxrIbHsQWjWfgoqnhT6i23W6iPGGyoz38aN6-L0eLgIxZBi7GXadsxjl7gjvNFhsJ2gQ6gOvlQ/s800/shelter%2010th%20Feb%20(2).JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Poking the fire - an age old tradition.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/wXywxWoS5TLHBEsNLMnY6Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eqZT9SgMO6yofEAYKqN8kIQjPNJ1vx-Imxri_2PRszbAWa_SEsWn8zr3z28ZUTq5CTuCM-5nlEcs2YVmnrRpcVloy3pW_jREJC5wAUxzN9PdrghaHtumvauzyPCGq39AEIISiMKVpZM/s800/shelter%2010th%20Feb.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />In sunny weather the sides can be rolled up for a more 'alfresco' feel.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/cDNvz5T53ukHnh7ud_K0bA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwfE_Y3sonRJSVunkRWNooCtKfmDX2HSvrn7zKaBcGlzLGVTjnutEtVj9OCjGd-sE_tnw0Gc0xZwGoNfki01ngFP1ITGAmf0lEJf4vAJ-0wfxaxXQCmX3SqKl8kz5-mhqdBtYkt5T2k8/s800/shelter%2010th%20Feb%20(4).JPG"width="640" /></a>Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-81200296956560893792010-02-07T11:24:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:05:30.568-08:00Freecycle for less landfill.<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/dnblHzslj_-8m3bMtAmTRw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLijMQ9ctqGaDnrXK6jn08QRmhs7rUsuQqn95X7VG2xbNmHpn4E0PdLLwpUYBkT6inMxfesDKAe_NijwrH2OIBlOIIsOxgYVafOdHhw282kbnxrDTWpm3wbfVDqUHeT3KV-IsI2dr13w/s800/Image1.jpg"width="640" /></a><br /><br />My friend made me aware of this very cool <a href="http://www.uk.freecycle.org/">website</a> today. I can't work out if it is just catching on or if everyone has known about it for ages. A simple idea - it matches people who have things to give away with people that want those things, and in doing so results in less usable stuff being buried in the ground. There are lots of regional groups in the UK - Stratford-upon-Avon group here we come!Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-46233557522864130472010-02-01T11:27:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:04:33.060-08:00How to plant a fruit tree<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/_JNVewPlNw_gtJtpjWEnrA?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJmlM-6-kD-pbKfAxiNR3PITFn9G9JFJTK60wg744fUKAgx2OnqZ0BySk2FH-wbAh-x11CZML6AS04Fawda29Juo5xIwxCGYhLpUtgD5GqN36la-ZIdrYE1yRb8mfqzCrwAOzRrPrVQQ/s800/P1020006.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><br />Over the weekend I planted the 'Bergamy' perry pear maiden (1 year old) I bought at <a href="http://www.dayscottage.co.uk/">Day's Cottage</a> last Thursday. It will take at least 15 years to get going fruitwise, but could live 350! 'Plant pears for your heirs', as the saying goes. Planting trees of any sort (even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyland_Cypress">Laylandii</a>?!) is very addictive, but there is much more to it than just digging a hole. A few things to remember with fruit trees:<br /><br />1) <strong>Choose a site.</strong> Avoid anywhere that remains waterlogged for long periods or is really exposed. <br /><br />2) Dig a big hole and fill it back up again with <strong>well rotted manure/good composted organic matter</strong>.<br /><br />3) <strong>Don't plant the tree too deeply.</strong> As the soil settles the tree will sink leaving a bowl that may fill with water. If much of the trunk becomes buried the tree will struggle. It's best plant the tree quite shallowly and then mound the soil up to cover the roots.<br /><br />4)<strong> Water in well.</strong><br /><br />5) <strong>Staking</strong> is important as it will prevent the tree from blowing over and give the roots a chance to establish. Recent thinking suggests that it is also beneficial to avoid securing the tree to firmly to a stake as some wobbling encourages the tree to establish a more sturdy root system at an earlier age. So basically, if you're on quite an exposed site then use a stake that's as big as your tree and attach it with a rubber tie quite high up on the tree. On less exposed sites (like mine) you can get away with a lower fastening. <br /><br />6)<strong> Mulching</strong> is also a good idea to prevent weed competition. I used some cardboard pegged down that will slowly rot. Bark chips or breathable/biodegradable plastic are other alternatives. <br /><br />7)<strong> Guards.</strong> Essential in some form for any new tree. Use a spiral or mesh guard for planting a tree in your garden to stop rabbits. If your field is going to be grazed then you need to think about something more substantial. For sheep you can probably get away with a 4ft <a href="http://www.ewburrownursery.co.uk/assets/files/prof-land-prod-cat/Steel_Tree_Guards_and_Grilles.pdf">metal mesh guard </a>or similar. If you know there may be deer about this will need to be 6ft. For cattle or horses you need a mega <a href="http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/ae_man_capital_12_2_cmb.pdf">post rail and wire construction</a> that will look ridiculous compared to your stick like maiden but is very necessary.<br /><br />8) Keep an eye on it! Most people make the mistake of planting the tree and thinking that's the job done. <strong>Aftercare is essential for success</strong> and the first year is when you are most likely to lose the tree. Lone trees in fields are also very tempting perching spots for raptors so it may be an idea to have a taller 'perching post' that will prevent unfortunate accidents!.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-82723537313958784742010-01-30T09:48:00.000-08:002011-11-30T05:03:23.979-08:00A talk from mistletoe man Jonathan Briggs<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/rmQ9PUbxlYUgp2nSPUQqoQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwolmpCYwD5zaRPX82yQ3BsH4ej-9AMZVlMbpOr7X_KGaqCYu5AfYylxOccZTTQQRKpYQ-kvhSBDSGMVc_HIAGnxIrXZcqjYbhUCpMmmpX3kcks4LJqIFh2UE1Jvx8l8axk5mBHWvZ2so/s800/P1010967.JPG"width="640" /></a> <br />One component of the National Trust <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2010/01/days-cottage-orchard-training-day-with.html">orchard training day </a>I attended on Thursday at <a href="http://www.dayscottage.co.uk/">Day's Cottage</a> was a talk by mistletoe enthusiast and expert <a href="http://www.mistletoe.org.uk/">Jonathan Briggs</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/3Ah_amzAdO0ekZv9Ss8Mfw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUcK40isFur7xqxzAJ_uMue7mNT6FVC2djpZWMQHh85kq3J2wLgmt7p3Be8DsjInahW5HlWV_jXCVG-h7Nd5mjBxdCacmFcQ0FmVNDBb4UrqbGFCKtbRawTWIxuX1t2Rv0mS5E3Dz9Xs/s800/P1020014.JPG"width="640" /></a><br /><em>Mistletoe being harvested near Dieppe, France around 1930 to be exported to England for Christmas. (courtesy of J. Briggs)</em><br /><br /><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscum_album">Viscum album</a></em>, the European species (that exists as several subspecies across Europe and Asia) is just one of ~1300 species of mistletoe worldwide. In the 1990s a national survey of the plant's distribution showed gardens to be the most common habitat, closely followed by orchards, or parks (in eastern counties). It thus favours the open habitats of wood-pasture, especially where preferred host species can also be found. In order of preference, these hosts are 1) apple, 2) lime 3) hawthorn, 4) poplar, 5) maple and 6) willow, but it has been recorded on many others as well. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/3GjNOewb6PbaH_GYfYuIMw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCC5c2QKI30z28D4W6pATtMm0tQRg8uXBiGHUqaT6qBr70GXsJdiFjoSkjjCNlgn1gMk5rsMJdTcJAk4y1tCrLBu1ysCJ-P2jMA5wtWBBq8i8F19xmZnKcTrVxxv0P1JUkxGsqF7LAfo/s800/P1010829.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Nationally, mistletoe is distributed across much of Britain, but sparsely, yet it becomes abundant in the counties of Worcestershire (e.g. <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/11/conderton-worcestershire-orchard-of.html">Conderton</a> in above photo), parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Somerset. This correlates with those areas with the most orchards BUT this is not a causal relationship. If you took away all the orchards in these counties it would still be relatively abundant compared with other regions. Mistletoe can survive across much of the UK, but it won't spread naturally except in these areas. Quite why is still a mystery!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/yg7_NJ9o6rtqDvnE36YZfw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVfDhLxuvD6CPQqVkMYlDS0k2LLbfvQg8EJELV9SujVHYb4eGEHuTVAXNiIu8I57AzF4Ao-YwKiYrvrLfPIywv3Yhl8kFWxyMciE-iO6UZFl1CPdHze8E9JFSAoXC6TMOiyWnan55N6U/s800/P1020015.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.mistletoes-r-us.co.uk/">Mistletoe Matters Consultancy</a></em><br /><br />As well as being important for <a href="http://druidnetwork.org/mistletoe/articles/myth.html">Druid ceremonies</a>, mistletoe is a valuable component of orchard biodiversity. Firstly, as it is winter flowering it provides a valuable nectar source for insects like flies in February. <br /><br />The berries are food for birds, especially <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/mistlethrush/index.aspx">mistle thrushes</a> (hence the name) and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackcap/index.aspx">blackcaps</a>. Indeed blackcaps are the primary vector for spreading the seed since they only eat the outer casing and wipe the sticky seed off on a convenient branch. (The best way of seeding your own tree with mistletoe is to mimic this technique on branches of a suitable species. Choose younger branches, 1 - 2 inches in diameter and use berries harvested in February and March for the best germination results. The seeds will take 4 years to produce the first two leaves, but after that will grow exponentially so you need to be careful for things not to get out of hand! )<br /><br />Mistletoe also has a group of <a href="http://www.ptes.org/files/712_orchard_guide_edition2.pdf">insects</a> that are specifically associated with it. It is a hemi-parasite and will sap strength from the host tree if not controlled but in general it is certainly a beneficial component of any traditional orchard.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1306755686898099951.post-54864177420401359792010-01-29T09:22:00.001-08:002011-11-30T05:02:13.943-08:00National Trust orchard training day at Day's Cottage: A tour of the orchards<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VdPvUcEJTZQcGTyKGEn64g?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZznLD4wJSS8_qCE6rn8NHhzJ4tAlCmFYfSlCJWNRxO3humqWzN-X89MQJ3LESoUf5eUFEEP5bmm2zM8Untmr7UuxSqxIPWyvhtC29Xs0bt0aRQv8jQ7NPDLjOLAMjoXBq0N-TSRikf4c/s800/P1010945.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Yesterday I went to <a href="http://www.dayscottage.co.uk/index.html">Day's Cottage</a> in Brookthorpe near Gloucester for an orchard training day. It was hosted by Dave Kaspar (<a href="http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/">GOG</a> chairman) and Helen Brent-Smith at their Orchard Skills Centre on behalf of the National Trust. The day started with a tour of the orchards, the oldest of which was planted by Helen's great aunt in 1912. In this picture Dave is explaining that this dead tree is the most important tree in the orchard from an ecological viewpoint, due to the <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/07/dead-wood.html">value</a> of <a href="http://www.buglife.org.uk/conservation/adviceonmanagingbaphabitats/lowlandwoodpasturesandparkla">standing dead wood</a> for invertebrates and the things that feed on them. As you can imagine, I was in my element!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/i_pTs3h8YkeE4IzxjajQBQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BDZvovur1NuoKU_I3sMW9PZlf1D-W91GaCu495RFVfeFG0hDzaHR_Fa3H9s3KYXpCmyx1sbWvZ0PhDPMaEaaSi6DwQrr2HXolsZDGbN55eFRKPhY45ePoHfjb1H1qq6vm_Hznbme0VY/s800/P1010947.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />This <a href="http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/newton-wonder.aspx">Newton Wonder</a> apple tree was blown over only recently, but it is far from doomed. The tree will respond to this stress by putting out more roots and over time it will gradually re-align its canopy. I think it is healthy to encourage a more Victorian perspective on tree beauty, where the gnarls and warpings of time are celebrated and admired. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9QNatv0ry3rsvsWFd7SKzQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUb6lvBLQQYCpe-5wHD1UDGujQSmAtPkkQyMuQ21FANk08rcKVFcs7EtatFyhNJhmLKkbUC2LHcCDSL-nKuAzu6P7T7T5IW_PRsxTHkyQltzRSfrE8QKCA5meuNPAAtIVVpHpjz4V0O4/s800/P1010960.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />We also visited an old perry pear orchard which had several trees about 150 years old. We were shown how pear trees have very obvious graft marks even in old age. Perry pears have been recorded to live over 350 years, far longer than any apple. Dave explained how they are best left to their own devices and he regularly advises people not to try and prune them. I think the tree pictured is the variety Butt.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uP9_d3FtyZKWDImy0KaFpw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId4QhAmQOShEsITicUKgIrg6OhEwRV9Ihi_WDKh7XRN42mrpg-ld6x7iCtuxcz50_Z6xkmTPk_Yn4Re1yugXiIH1eiW-HSqA0vJbOXUguZwD-I3avhC_MRPAWwtYCoWTQNBFffugG8Cs/s800/P1010963.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />They have about 16 acres of orchards around the site that are being managed very sensitively for wildlife with mistletoe, bird and bat boxes, standing dead wood and no chemical inputs. This tree in the foreground has been toppled for a lot longer, and you can see it has recovered its posture quite admirably and still produces fruit. It reminds me of the Blenheim Orange trees at <a href="http://charingworthorchardtrust.blogspot.com/2009/08/mount-pleasant-orchard.html">Mount Pleasant</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sISlkCUKL5s-w2FMgwjOow?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE_M61MMYcdXdnqYECdvmg6OrW5Hn6bZ62ZDirmyU1f_E0qQirhjaLCDzlthFr0hROgypMdGpe_MXz9dzdavq39cr2ujU5EM3E9doiCKZtVbOFl4nToI1Cdjdk3fbCUXNdl76-hQ_Y-k/s800/P1010986.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />This is the museum orchard that was started around 15 years ago in partnership with Gloucestershire council and the <a href="http://www.gloucestershireorchardgroup.org.uk/">GOG</a> as a bank of Gloucestershire apple varieties. New varieties are still being found by people like <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/3451674/Apples-a-hedge-fund-of-lasting-value.html">Charles Martell</a> so it's an ongoing project but it is old enough for the trees to be starting to take off. It's so exciting to think of returning in twenty years to see an established orchard and for an apple off each tree...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XjCk1dEJ6F-TzJa3QIzDkg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCKtbIhaB9ESvLMU0wx-Dsv_YRqwexcW1KdDBLCI4EFv8bJfZJ92fciVTIZxvtwuwf2-ZjR4XUe4fJ4Noaqup2KNrvWj8aE0Bw6e9XlLaCWjBK61aQoeQaRMq3a0tAAzI7jFaJFkhLXk/s800/P1010999.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />Here is my friend Freddie, a longstanding volunteer with the Charingworth Orchard Trust and Tanya, a beekeeper with her own company called <a href="http://www.apples-and-pears.com/">Apples and Pears</a>. We were pretty pleased to be able to purchase some perry for tasting later on!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T3rM1HtZWegNNI_JfGklVg?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzh1bXPq_7HOA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMZVzqKFvqttdPa1a3icVUKPTk-BRs6miOazo8569AJgeqqYWWehmIDXecsW3N7HW9mbabxQijBWHC93GbRsAUX4SUq40vI2sApJsHdKr75cZbm3x0D9Asl0ut2jVfoycEXE50YgRsG0/s800/P1020002.JPG"width="640" /></a><br />The loot. Mistletoe for seeding at home, a perry pear maiden of the variety 'Bergamy' ("pronounce carefully") and superior grog.Henry Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046178514714787521noreply@blogger.com0