Work timeline

[last_modified]
[divider]

Aims

To improve the biodiversity
To establish a meadow surrounded by a native hedge
To create a natural space for community use, for all ages
To create a place of education, reminding us of our village’s strong connection with fruit growing
To establish the site as an orchard

Note We have an on-going, long term, project to establish a wildflower meadow between the trees by planting small patches of wildflowers which over the years will spread throughout the site. The soil is slightly acidic (pH 6) and so is not suitable for calcicole/chalk downland meadow flowers. We are planting a range of meadow flowers typical of East Anglian meadows.

Management

Dates	Activities
Summer 2012	Cut the sward to reduce strength of grass and encourage seed bank germination. Cuttings were removed when possible.
June 2012	Removed strips of turf from a number of squares to expose top soil. Mixed wild flower seeds sown in some squares (neutral pH soils) whilst others were left to allow monitoring of which meadow plants did well.
October 2012	‘Meadow in a Tray’ project launched. Schools and individuals were invited to grow a tray of meadow flowers for planting in the meadow in Spring 2013. This project will continue for several years to increase the diversity of meadow plants.
Jan – Mar 2013	Tree locations marked. Planting pits were dug. Each planting pit was large enough to take the root stock. The bottom and sides of each pit were broken out to allow root growth into surrounding soil. Plant trees. Tree protection consisting of three poles, stock fencing and rabbit fencing was built to form triangular protection around each tree. Mesh‘openable’ to allow easy weeding around trees. After planting, the trees were well watered, and mulched. Each tree was staked and tied. Ties will be adjusted and loosened as necessary. Formative pruning. Improving the hedge nearest the busway. Remove half the spirals on this part of the hedge in Spring 2014.
Spring 2013	Planting of the first ‘Meadows in a Tray’ on the Eastern side of the site.
Summer 2013	Trees watered during dry spells and sprayed once a fortnight with Aston Tree Wash, an organic garlic-based spray. Boundary for hedge planting planting prepared. Grass sprayed off and rotavated. Site fenced with stock control fencing to demark boundary whilst the hedge establishes. Gates erected at the corners of the arc boundary. Gates to allow access for all.
December 2013	Native hedge planted around the orchard site. Whips planted in double staggered rows about 45cm apart with plants about 50cm apart in each row. Whips protected with spirals, and plan to remove half of spirals in Spring 2016. Nine fruit trees planted to grow through the hedge on the arc boundary.
Janaury 2014	Second year formative pruning of the trees planted in 2013.
March 2014	Planting of 12 trees in the Orchard Parkland.
May 2014	Installing picnic tables and the Royal British Legion bench. More planting of meadow plants and mowing the grass paths through the orchard.
February 2015	Planting of a further two trees in the Orchard Parkland and 22 trees to create the Early 20th Century Orchard.
Thereafter	Water trees and hedge plants in their first year, as necessary Meadow to be cut twice a year Cuttings to be removed Young trees to be kept free of grass and other plants around their trunks whilst they are establishing Tree ties and stakes to be removed once tree has had at least one year growth and is well established Hedging to be kept free of weeds until established Hedge to be either cut or laid to maintain a height of 1m.

[divider_top]

Year 1 – 2013

Orchard plan for 2013

Activities

Plant East Anglian Medley (19 trees) and Central Circle (7 trees)
Inoculate Eastern area of meadow using ‘Meadow in a Tray’ plants
Plant boundary hedge
Erect temporary fence

[divider_top]

Year 2 – 2014

Orchard plan 2014

Activities

Plant Orchard Parkland trees (14 of the 16 trees)
Continue to plant ‘Meadows in tray’ in Eastern and Northern parts of orchard
Put in first benches and further seating as funds allow
Mow paths into orchard

[divider_top]

Year 3 – 2015

2015 orchard plan

Activities

Plant Early 20th Century Orchard – 2 apple varieties plus pollinators local to Histon and Impington
Continue to plant ‘Meadows in a tray’ to increase the meadow plants
Make up paths as funds allow
Other orchard-compatible projects such as artwork

[divider_top]

Overall plan

[divider_top]