The People’s Trust for Endangered Species has developed a new online tool to help improve the accessibility of heritage varieties to gardeners, cider-makers and orchard owners. FruitFinder is part of an ongoing effort by PTES to conserve and restore traditional orchards across the country in recognition of their amazing habitat value to local wildlife.
Although there are over 5,000 fruit varieties grown in the UK, most supermarkets only stock about eight varieties of apples.
Moreover, PTES’ research has found that 90% of traditional orchards have been lost since the 1950s, and 35-45% of the remaining orchards surveyed in England and Wales were found to be in declining condition as a habitat. By far the most common reason for this is lack of replacement tree replanting, meaning these remaining old orchards will quickly disappear unless action is taken.
FruitFinder tackles both of these issues head on by making it easier for the public to discover and buy traditional heritage trees to replant in their orchards, safeguarding these habitats, and varieties, for future generations.
Megan Gimber, Orchard Project Officer at PTES said: “PTES FruitFinder is a great way for people to find out more about local fruit and source local heritage trees and grafting material to grow their own fruit trees. The more we can educate the public about the need for conserving traditional orchards, the more likely we are to be successful in reversing their decline.”
For more information or to access PTES’ FruitFinder, see: https://ptes.org/fruitfinder/
Published Wednesday 1 June 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
