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 and 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 in spring blossom.

Traditional orchard, Orchard Link

Snapshot

What wildlife-rich looks like:

Fruit trees of all ages (including many that are veteran or ancient) form part of a mosaic of habitats with flower-rich grasslands, patches of scrub, ponds and bushy hedges with standard trees. Managed without chemicals and fertilisers, they’re hotspots for wildlife, providing habitat for insects, small mammals, nesting and foraging bats and birds, 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’re a much-loved part of Devon’s heritage and are often hundreds 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 for more information.

It’s not just the fruit trees that are important for wildlife. Orchards are often made up of a mosaic of different habitats, which provides wildlife with valuable nesting sites, food and shelter. These habitats include:

  • Long-lived fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, damson, cherry and including local varieties such as Whimple Queen, Mazzards and Dittisham Plowman).
  • Veteran tree features such as hollows, deadwood and rot pockets, which can appear earlier in fruit trees than in species such as oak. They’re critical habitats for insects, fungi, lichens, birds and bats.
  • Grasslands, which in traditional orchards are often old. When they’re managed well (light grazing or cutting regimes that allow flowers to set seed and using no artificial fertilisers), they can be rich in plants, fungi (including waxcap fungi) and other wildlife.
  • Hedges, which when managed well, can be rich in wildlife.
Traditional orchard in spring blossom.

Health check

Area: Data from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

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 one hectare.

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

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

Condition:

County Wildlife Sites (CWS): 33 CWSs in Devon contain traditional orchards, covering 34 hectares. 24 sites have been monitored between 2011 and 2024, with 39% assessed as green.

Green (ok), Amber (ok but could do better), Red (in need of urgent attention). See the LNRS Targets and monitoring page for more details. Note that there is no information currently available on orchards within SSSIs.

A pie chart showing the condition of Traditional orchards in CWS in Devon (data explained in text).

Key pressures and opportunities

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Abandonment and neglect

Lack of management continues to threaten the extent and quality of orchards. 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 develop into secondary woodland.

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Inappropriate management

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

– Over-grazing can damage the ground flora, compact the soil and damage the trees.

– Applying pesticides and fertiliser can reduce an orchard’s biodiversity.

– Mechanical grass cutting can damage trees. Leaving grass cuttings in place tends to increase fertility and reduce floral diversity.

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

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Source of suitable tree stock

Sourcing good quality trees has become much easier as interest in creating, managing and restoring traditional orchards has grown. There are now several suppliers in the south-west that offer local fruit tree varieties on a range of rootstocks.

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Climate change

Climate change is bringing challenges for orchards through increasing heat stress, increasing humidity and its associated diseases, localised flooding, waterlogging and conditions that favour new pests and diseases.

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Legislation and protection

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 can also be recognised as County Wildlife Sites (CWS), a non-statutory ‘designation’ that 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 community support for the conservation, preservation and management of traditional orchards across Devon, particularly in areas where there are active community projects.

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Markets for fruit

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

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Historic environment

Orchards are a significant component of Devon’s historic landscape and culture. Along with their contribution to biodiversity and wider landscape character, they’re often the setting for historic houses and farmsteads.

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 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 in Other relevant actions below).

Survey, research and awareness

  • Increase training in pruning, grafting, orchard planning and wildlife surveys (for example through Orchard Link and 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 their 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 and relevant habitats are on other LNRS pages. Follow the links below:

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas include:

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

See Mapping for the LNRS Viewer and information on how areas have been mapped.

3. Inspiration

Case studies

Orchard Link

Orchard Link 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. The group’s 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.

Traditional orchard in spring blossom.

Orchards Live

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 the region. 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 and Tamar Apple Group

Tavy and Tamar Apple 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 such as 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.

If you’re doing something to help nature thrive, please share it on the Devon Nature Recovery Delivery Map to inspire others to take action.

Where to visit

Honeywood Orchard (Great Torrington)

Honeywood Orchard is a family-run cider orchard near Great Torrington in north Devon, planted in 2015 and rooted in tradition, sustainability and community. The orchard grows 450 apple trees across 65 heritage varieties on traditional rootstock, producing cider without sprays or additives. They reuse every by-product, including mulch for heating and vinegar-making. They also welcome visitors for tours, tastings and seasonal celebrations such as wassailing. 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

People’s Trust for Endangered Species: Traditional Orchards

People’s Trust for Endangered Species: Traditional Orchard Survey and Map

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

Photo credits
  • Traditional orchard, Orchard Link

Draft