Traditional orchards

Orchards were once a key part of Devon’s agricultural economy, with labourers receiving part of their pay in cider.

Only about 5% of the orchards mapped in Devon in the 1930s now survive.

The very rare tiny apple lace bug feeds on the sap of apple trees and in the UK is only known from a few sites in Devon and Cornwall.

What we need to do and where

Traditional orchard, Orchard Link

Snapshot

What wildlife-rich looks like:

Fruit trees of all ages (but many veteran or ancient trees) form part of a mosaic of habitats with flower-rich grasslands, patches of scrub, bushy hedges with trees and ponds. Managed without chemicals and fertilisers, they are hotspots for wildlife, providing habitat for insects, small mammals, nesting and foraging birds and bats, plants, lichens and fungi. Species such as lesser spotted woodpecker have increased and nest in Devon’s orchards again.

Devon Special Species include:

Bats: Bechstein’s and barbastelle will possibly roost in orchards. Lesser horseshoes, greater horseshoes, grey long-eared and serotine will feed on insects in orchards. 

Birds: Many birds in the woody and farmland groups (such as spotted flycatcher and house sparrow) can nest and feed in the mosaic of habitats in orchards.

Insects: Apple lacebug, dead wood flies

Lichens: Veteran tree lichens.

UK significance:

UK priority habitat: Yes

Statutory irreplaceable habitat: Old fruit trees can be classed as ancient or veteran trees.

Wider benefits: Fruit, carbon storage, pollinators, opportunities for community engagement, health and wellbeing.

1. About

Traditional orchards are defined as being managed in a low intensity way with low inputs of fertilisers and pesticides. They are a much-loved part of Devon’s heritage and are often 100s of years old. Cider orchards have been especially important in Devon with locally bred Devon cider apple varieties such as Slack Ma Girdle and Tremlett’s Bitter. Many of Devon’s orchards are managed by community groups, see Inspiration and Find out more below.

It’s not just the fruit trees that are important for wildlife. Orchards are often composed of a mosaic of different habitats in a small area which is incredibly valuable for wildlife, providing nesting sites, food and shelter.

  • Long-lived fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, damson, cherry – including local varieties such as Whimple Queen, mazzards and Dittisham Plowman).
  • Veteran tree features such as hollows, deadwood and rot pockets can appear earlier than in fruit trees than in species such as oak. These are critical habitats for insects, fungi, lichens, birds and bats.
  • Grasslands in traditional orchards are often old. Where they are appropriately managed (light grazing or cutting regimes which allow flowers to set seed and no artificial fertilisers) they can be rich in plants, fungi (including waxcap fungi) and other wildlife.
  • Orchards are often surrounded by hedges which again if appropriately managed can be rich in wildlife.

Health check

To be added before final publication of the LNRS to ensure that the most up to date information is used from NE and DBRC.  

Traditional orchards have declined nationally due to agricultural intensification (conversion to alternative use), development and abandonment. The average size of remaining orchards is less than 1 hectare.

Nationally: 24,600 ha (2008 estimate) of surviving orchards, representing a 57% decline since 1950.

Devon: up to 35,000 ha existed according to historic maps; today only around 1,700 ha remain.

Key pressures and opportunities

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Abandonment and neglect

Lack of management continues to threaten the extent and quality of the habitat. Unmanaged orchards will tend to become over-run with bramble and coarse grasses. Although relict orchards can provide good wildlife habitat, particularly for breeding warblers, without intervention, the fruit trees will decline and eventually die, leaving an area of scrub that will succeed towards secondary woodland.

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Inappropriate management

Orchards are vulnerable to inappropriate management of the trees and ground layer:

– Over-grazing can degrade the quality of the habitat through damaging the ground flora, compaction and physical damage to the trees.

– Intensification of management can also be detrimental to biodiversity if it involves application of pesticides and fertiliser.

– Mechanical grass cutting generates a risk of physical damage to trees. Cutting without removing the arisings will tend to increase in fertility and reduce floral diversity.

– Restoration of relict orchards needs to be undertaken with care. Before removing collapsed trees, it is essential to determine whether they are a rare variety from which cuttings should be taken before removal.

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Source of suitable tree stock

Sourcing good quality stock for replanting has become much easier as interest in managing and restoring traditional orchards has grown. There are now multiple suppliers in the south-west offering  local fruit tree varieties on a range of rootstocks for creating or re-stocking traditional orchards.

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Climate change

Climate change may bring its own challenges for orchards through changing environmental conditions, increasing heat stress, increasing humidity and associated diseases, localised flooding/waterlogging and favouring new pests and diseases.

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Legislation / protection

Although not widely known, orchards and fruit trees can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders where they provide public amenity and are not being used for commercial fruit production. Orchards may be recognised as County Wildlife Sites (CWS), a non-statutory ‘designation’ which indicates their conservation value (in the context of the planning system). Orchards are not widely represented among SSSIs.

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Community support

There is considerable variation in levels of community support for traditional orchards across Devon. Community interest in and support for the management of traditional orchards appears to be a significant factor in the conservation, restoration and management of the resource in areas where there are active community initiatives.

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Markets for fruit

The lack of a market for the produce from traditional orchards is an ongoing problem.

2. What we need to do and where

Priority

Better (wildlife-rich), bigger and more traditional orchards that are connected to a network of habitats across the county, benefiting Devon Special Species and achieving wider benefits such as carbon capture, water resilience and health and wellbeing. 

See Find out more for links to more detailed information including management advice.

Actions for all traditional orchards

Manage, expand and create traditional orchards including through pruning, planting old heritage varieties of fruit trees and managing a mosaic of habitats (wildlife-rich grasslands, hedges, ponds and veteran trees) to maximise their wildlife value. See habitat pages for details (links below).

Survey, research, awareness

  • Increase training in pruning, grafting, orchard planning and wildlife surveys (e.g. via Orchard Link, Orchards Live).
  • Support community orchards and expand advice, equipment and training hubs.
  • Ground truth the orchard data held by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
  • Develop local markets for orchard produce to ensure long-term viability.
  • Raise awareness of the value of orchards for wildlife, heritage and wellbeing.

Other relevant actions

More detailed actions for Devon Special Species (see above) and Wider themes are set out on other LNRS pages.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas include:

  • Traditional orchards (existing)
  • Woody habitat expansion areas (Warning: this layer includes scattered small areas which are not continuous with woodlands. These will be removed after the public consultation when the map is reviewed)   

See Mapping.

3. Inspiration

This section will be finalised following public consultation. Please share any case studies and places to visit as well as high quality photos. A few ideas are given below.

Case studies

Orchard Link

Orchard Link in Devon is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group dedicated to preserving traditional orchards and local fruit varieties. They support orchard owners, apple and cider enthusiasts, and community groups across South Devon. Its mission is to save traditional orchards, conserve heritage apple varieties, and encourage community involvement. The group also promotes orchard restoration and planting, ensuring that these landscapes remain both productive and wildlife-friendly. By fostering knowledge exchange and hands-on skills, Orchard Link plays a vital role in keeping Devon’s orchard traditions alive.

Orchards Live, North Devon

Orchards Live is a volunteer-led group in North Devon dedicated to preserving, restoring, and celebrating traditional orchards. Orchards Live has worked to reverse the decline of traditional orchards by helping people create, restore, and expand orchards across northern Devon. The group offers training courses in grafting, pruning, cider-making, and apple identification, ensuring that local skills and knowledge are passed on. They also organise community events such as Apple Days, fairs, and wassails, which bring people together to celebrate heritage fruit varieties and orchard culture.

Tavy & Tamar Apple Group

The group is based on the Bere Peninsula in West Devon, and is mainly concerned with orchards on the Peninsula. They encourage the rejuvenation of local orchards through best practice and sustainable management. Through grafting, training, and community events like Apple Fest, the group helps preserve rare local apples while passing on orchard skills to new generations. They manage historic orchards, provide equipment for juice and cider making, and foster biodiversity by protecting these rich habitats. Their work ensures that the Tamar Valley’s orchard heritage remains a living part of the landscape and community.

Where to visit

Honeywood Orchard (Great Torrington)

Honeywood Orchard is a family-run cider orchard in North Devon, planted in 2015 and rooted in tradition, sustainability, and community. Nestled near Great Torrington, it grows 450 apple trees across 65 heritage varieties on traditional rootstock, producing cider without sprays or additives. The orchard welcomes visitors for tours, tastings, and seasonal celebrations like wassailing, while also reusing every by-product – from mulch for heating to vinegar-making. Looking ahead, Honeywood plans to expand with shepherd huts and a café, offering people an authentic way to experience Devon’s cider culture.

Courtneys of Whimple

This ancient cider orchard opens during The Big Pick every year, as part of the Taste East Devon Festival. Visitors can help harvest cider apples, press their own juice, and enjoy live music in a historic orchard

4. Find out more

 This section will be tidied up and finalised following public consultation. Please share any links.

People’s Trust for Endangered Species – Traditional Orchards

PTES Traditional Orchard Survey and Maps

DEFRA Priority Habitats Inventory – Traditional Orchards

The Orchard Project – Guides and Advice

Orchard Link (south Devon)

Orchards Live (North Devon)

South Devon Protected Landscape Orchards

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