Restoration of traditional orchards, HC20
Aim
This option applies to existing traditional orchards, managed extensively for wildlife and historic landscape benefits, that are under-stocked or in need of restoration. The option aims to restore degraded orchards by re-planting traditional varieties of orchard trees to restore tree numbers to an appropriate level. Ongoing management will require livestock grazing and the protection and maintenance of the trees. Capital payments may be made for tree planting, protective guards and restorative pruning of old trees.
Eligibility
Traditional orchards in poor condition that are being managed for wildlife, historic and landscape objectives are eligible for this option. Trees must be large, cider orchards are eligible. Bush and dwarf trees are not appropriate. Adequate tree planting and management, including restorative pruning is a requirement and the grass sward should be managed.
The option can be used to help maintain and conserve the continuity of traditional fruit orchards, characteristic of the local landscape and as described in the landscape character asessment where they are targeted within the JCA.
Suitability
This option is suitable for orchards that have between one third and two thirds of the original stations occupied by trees. It should also be used where more than 75% of trees require restorative pruning.
If the stocking is below one third the site may be suitable for the orchard creation option.
If there are archaeological sites within the orchard area do not plant trees on or in the vicinity of these sites so that the sites are not damaged by root growth. You may need an archaeological survey in order to locate these sites, especially those that are not visible above ground. Please consult your regional RDS Historic Environment Advisor for more advice.
Prescriptions
| Follow the agreed [management plan / capital works programme produced by XXXX on XXXX]. | Optional |
| Ensure establishment and maintenance of orchard trees and the grass sward by controlling pest species with methods agreed in writing with your Defra adviser. | |
| Prevent damage to trees from livestock [wild mammals / deer / grey squirrels / rabbits / XXXX]. This includes damage caused by browsing, bark stripping, rubbing against trees or guards and soil compaction below canopies. Check, maintain and remove guards and protection as appropriate to prevent tree damage. | |
| Keep a 1 metre diameter circle around the base of all newly planted trees clear of vegetation for at least the first 3 years after planting. You can achieve this by mulching, using weed-suppressing membranes or the use of approved herbicides. | |
| Unless otherwise agreed with your Defra adviser, all mature or over-mature standing trees and all standing and fallen deadwood must be retained, unless it is a genuine safety hazard. Tree surgery must be limited to that required for the safety of people and livestock. | |
| Removal or burning of dead wood is only permitted where death has been caused by a pest or disease likely to affect the remaining trees. Bonfires must be sited to avoid any damage to the crowns of standing trees. | Optional |
| Manage the sward by grazing [cattle / sheep] to achieve an average sward height of between [5cm and 15cm] throughout the growing season, with less than 5% poached or bare ground [and up to 5% taller herbs]. | |
| If grazing is not possible, manage the sward by mowing 80-90% of the area at least [once / twice] each year after 15 July. Cuttings [may / must] be removed. | Optional |
| Supplementary feeding is not permitted. | Optional |
| Supplementary feeding is permitted but must not take place within 10m of the base of a tree and is confined to the feeding of [hay / straw / forage roots / concentrates / mineral blocks in fields XXXX. Feeders and troughs should not be used. Feeding sites should be moved regularly and never placed on archaeological features. Hay may be scattered by hand. Creep feeding of young stock is permitted]. | Optional |
| [Control all / Remove XX% of conifers /Poplar /Sycamore /Rhododendron /Japanese Knotweed /XXXX]. | Optional |
| There must be no ploughing or other cultivations such as reseeding, rolling or chain harrowing. | Optional |
| There must be no new drainage or modification to existing drainage systems [unless required to establish a grass sward / heathland vegetation and agreed in writing with your Defra adviser / specifically stated in a management plan / capital works programme]. | |
| To protect the [archaeological /historic feature/s XXXX in/ on XXXX do not place anything likely to cause ground disturbance on or near the feature/s such as fences, feeders, water troughs. / Do not locate access routes on or near the feature/s. / If the feature is being damaged by the use of a PROW consult the Highway Authority. / Do not allow the development of burrows. / By year 2 / stabilise and re-vegetate 40% - 100% of the eroded areas then maintain a permanent grass cover. /Retain and manage trees XXXX to prevent them being blown down. /Remove scrub /trees /XXXX, but leave stumps in situ to rot. / By year 5 /interpretation material should be available]. | Optional |
| Do not apply fertilisers, organic manures or waste materials (including sewage sludge) [unless specifically agreed in writing with your Defra adviser and / or stated in a management plan / capital works programme]. | Optional |
Indicators of Success
| [By year 3], there should be between [70 and 150 apple / pear / plum / cherry / XXXX] trees/ha of traditional varieties on vigorous rootstock that are established and growing free from damage by livestock. | |
| At least [80%] of the trees alive at the start of the agreement should remain so for the life time of the agreement. | |
| [By year 3 / 4 / 5 / 6], at least [95%] of new trees should be trained to traditional target form. | Optional |
| [By year 3], cover of undesirable species [XXXX] should be less than [5%]. | |
| All SSSI land should be in [favourable or recovering] condition. | Optional |
| [Archaeological /historic feature/s XXXX in/on the XXXX has/have] suffered no further degradation. [The depth of soil covering the feature/s has been maintained. /Detrimental indicators (e.g. burrows, bare patches, scrub growth, poaching and erosion) cover less than 5% of the area. /By year 2 /the area of erosion has been reduced by 40%-100% and a permanent grass cover is present. /Cover of scrub is reduced by 40%-100%. /Cover of Bracken is reduced by 40%-100%. /Area of active burrows is reduced by 40%-100%. /There should be no evidence of damage caused by inappropriate heather burning]. | Optional |
Page last modified:
12 July, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005