ORCHARDS IN DECLINE
According to recent research by the National Trust the area of orchards in England and Wales has halved since the early 1900s, resulting in huge losses in habitats for nature, and meaning fewer people can enjoy one of nature’s great spectacles – spring blossom.
The research revealed an 81% decline, (78,874Ha) in traditional orchards in England and Wales – equivalent to an area close to the size of the West Midlands. And, even when taking each country in isolation, England’s figures alone revealed a loss of 82% of traditionally managed orchards (77,926Ha) – twice the size of the Isle of Wight.
In March, the National Trust
