Traditional orchards and wood pasture

Traditional orchards and wood pasture reflect an historic land use that is low intensity. Its primary aim is to produce fruit or timber. General practices have changed very little - some orchards can be traced back to the 12th century.

An orchard can comprise of a variety of trees - some may contain important heritage tree species. Wood pasture should include a range of ages of trees, including veteran trees which in turn provide an important deadwood habitat for saproxylic insects and fungi.

Under threat

Wood pasture and traditional orchards cover less than 0.03% of the surface area of Scotland. Commercial orchards are not included in this definition. Orchards are threatened by changes in agricultural practices and the demand for cheap imported fruit. More than 90% of orchards in the UK have disappeared in the last 30 years. This can be attributed to a combination of factors - but neglect and misuse as well as reduced economic viability have not helped.

Why are they important?

Dead wood is an important component of any wood pasture or orchard. Management of the wood might involve removal of old branches or trees, but standing deadwood is very important and should be left to benefit biodiversity. Fungi and lichens will thrive in the relatively undisturbed habitats. Pasture and orchards tend not to have many chemical applications and this management regime benefits sensitive species such as waxcaps.

Orchards have a role to play in preserving crop diversity which may become more important as climate conditions change.

The slow-grown open wood pasture and orchard structures provide different conditions to conventional woodlands. Traditional management often included grazing at certain times of the year. Geese were commonly put into orchards. Bee hives also were traditionally placed amongst orchards to assist pollination of fruit trees.