The area of orchards in England and Wales has halved since the early 1900s[1] according to new research by the National Trust resulting in huge losses in habitats for nature and meaning far fewer people can enjoy one of nature’s spectacular, yet fleeting, moments – spring blossom.

It is the first comprehensive review of both traditional[2] and modern[3] orchards in England and Wales using data from the National Library of Scotland’s historic map collection, data from People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and Natural England, and analysed using artificial intelligence (AI) mapping technologies from ArchAI Ltd.

With results published as the conservation charity kicks off this year’s #BlossomWatch[4] campaign, the results reveal a loss in orchards of 56 per cent, with just 43,017Ha left growing today – equivalent to an area slightly larger than the Isle of Wight[5].

The research also exposed a huge 81 per cent decline, (78,874Ha), in traditional orchards in England and Wales – equivalent to an area close to the size of the west Midlands[6] – spelling bad news for nature.

‘Total blossom’, ie the area, from orchards in England has more than halved (56 per cent) since around 1900, with 41,777Ha left growing today[7].

London
According to county analysis, it is not surprising that those which have become dominated by cities reveal the greatest losses in orchard area. Greater London has seen a 94% loss in traditional orchards since the 1900’s.

There have also been huge declines in English cities as they have grown in size with London losing 97% of its traditional orchards[8].

Emma McNamara, Gardens Consultant for the South East says: “We look after thousands of fruit trees in the South East, many of which can be found in the 30 or so heritage orchards in our care. We’re currently restoring some of these, and this year we’re creating a few new traditional-style orchards too. These landscapes are full of old fruit varieties local to each area, growing fruit that our grandparents might remember tasting, with wonderful names like Maid of Kent and Blenheim Orange, which indicate their origins. They’re part of Britain’s food growing heritage and something we want to protect and help flourish, alongside orchard biodiversity.

“It’s a tragedy that over 80% of the South East’s heritage orchards have been lost, but we’re working hard to bring back some of that lost blossom, in our gardens and parks too, with mixes of fruit and ornamental blossom trees, sometimes in creative layouts for visual impact. Trees like cherry plum Prunus cerasifera and sweet cherry Prunus avium; their nectar and fruit provide a terrific food source for birds, and insects like butterflies and bees. And of course they’re a beautiful spectacle in spring; in autumn too, when they are laden with fruit.”