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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Key species and habitats // Traditional Orchards // Orchard Network // Community orchards // Community orchards top-tips

Community orchards top-tips

This list is a slightly adapted version of a list of top-tips for successful community orchards created by Orchard Link and South Devon AONB unit.

Concentrate on building up the “team” – motivation and commitment
Communication is really important – hold events for lots of people, find jobs for people to do and make sure everyone has something to hold their interest
Hold monthly Saturday or Sunday morning work parties (with soup, cakes, or bacon rolls) – post a list of tasks and assign people to them
Invite members or guests with specialist knowledge to give informal talks (e.g. about fruit, pruning, wild flowers, insects, bees, and so on)
Emphasise skill-sharing and learning while at work
Scything is a great activity (use light Australian-style scythes) – must have risk assessment
Pigs can be great for de-weeding a site before planting. Only put them back in an orchard for clearing windfalls (gives the meat an appley flavour). Strong grazing guards required
Set up a WhatsApp group to encourage people to attend work parties
A couple of crab apples are a good addition to a community orchard for pollination and their attractive blossom
Tree protection (from livestock, rabbits, deer etc) is essential
Have a calendar of events all year round – wassail, pressing, jam and chutney making, blossom time
Use village newsletters, fliers, posters and school websites to advertise and communicate
Before starting a new community orchard, consider doing a survey or questionnaire of neighbouring households to gauge the level of interest and commitment, and establish a strong mandate to press ahead
- And set up “round table” discussion with neighbours to find out what people want from the orchard
Involve cubs/brownies/scouts/guides etc
Taking grafts from old fruit trees already growing successfully on a site is a good way of propagating suitable local varieties and preserves local heritage
- Graft two or more different varieties on to one root stock
Brambles can be cut and piled and then later re-used as a mulch or to protect young trees from deer
Establishing a natural ground cover plant like woodruff can be a good way of managing the vegetation
There is a rich folklore around apples and orchards in this country. Working with a community arts group can be a good way of developing this
Incorporate a community social area in the orchard – benches, barbecue, and a play area, all linked by regularly mown pathways
Consider planting a range of soft fruits (raspberries, blackcurrants etc) that will yield a crop quickly, while waiting for new apple trees to establish and start producing
Local orchard groups provide valuable services for community orchards – equipment hire, training, advice and so on. See PTES Regional Gazeteer for links
Choose the right fruit varieties and species for the site. See PTES FruitFinder to find out about varieties from your area