A SMALL TEAM of volunteers planted 105 wild harvest whips on Saturday (24th April) at the Crosstown Community Orchard.
The whips will fill out the borders of the orchard with productive wild plants which provide a source of traditional forage foods. The volunteers planted 30 blackthorn whose berries are used for sloe gin; 30 crab apple which makes a delicious jelly; 15 hazel which produces hazelnuts, 15 rowan whose berries can be made into a jelly which traditionally accompanies game and 15 dog rose, source of rosehips for syrups, jellies and sauces!
The whips were provided through the Woodland Trust Free Trees for Communities scheme which is part of its fightback against climate change.
The charity hopes to introduce further berries and nuts in the autumn including elder, chestnut and walnut as well as adding soft fruit bushes to the orchard in the future too.
The charity issues a regular e-newsletter to keep the community informed about plans at the orchard; you can sign up for this on their website at www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk. You can also connect via social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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