Setting up a community orchard

This year’s National Allotments Week runs from 11-17 August. However, if you want to grow something edible but don’t have an allotment, how about planting a community orchard? Here’s how Cuddesdon and Denton Parish Council went about it
Three adults sitting next to a newly planted tree

A new community orchard has been established in Cuddesdon and Denton, with support from the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) and South Oxfordshire District Council. 

More than 30 volunteers took part in planting 89 fruit trees including apple, pear, plum, greengage, damson, apricot and cherry. They were planted across half an acre of rough grass on a field next to the recreation ground at Denton Hill. 

The work was organised by the Orchard Committee of Cuddesdon and Denton Parish Council, led by committee chair Nicko King, with the aim of providing a new habitat for insects and birds, as well as an annual crop of free fruit for the village. 

Thanks to a combined grant funding of around £8,000 provided by South Oxfordshire District Council and its funding partner TOE, the group bought 47 trees, compost and equipment including posts and netting.

A further 42 trees were donated by villagers and raised by local expert fruit-grower Ron Stern. The group had previously planted a number of mature apple and pear trees last year, bringing the total number of trees in the orchard to 102. 

The field was leased by the parish council at the end of last year from landowners Richard Farrant and Susan Jupp. 

In years to come, juice produced from the trees’ fruit could be a source of income towards maintenance of the orchard. 

Ron Stern said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together around the joy of a wide range of home-grown fruit – some quite unusual – in a wonderful setting.” 

Chris Luke, Chair of the Parish Council, said: “We are all very grateful to the Farrant family for the lease of the land and to TOE and SODC for their financial support.”

If you’re interested in planting a community orchard, Oxfordshire County Council’s tree service can be hired to help and provide specific advice on design and planning. Contact them at tree.planting@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

A child and a toddler planting a tree together
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County Council Tree Service's Tips

  • Find a suitable space for planting an orchard. You will need the landowner’s permission to plant any trees
  • Fruit trees come on a wide range of rootstocks from very dwarfing (5m spread), which will affect how much space they need and how many trees you can plant.
  • Choose the fruits and varieties you want that are suitable for your growing conditions and make sure your varieties are in compatible pollination groups and can pollinate each other. Unless a variety is self-fertile, without a compatible pollination partner it will not produce fruit – do your research!
  • Make a care and maintenance plan – all trees will need regular watering after planting and dwarf trees will likely need permanent staking. Do your trees need protection from rabbits or deer? Summer and winter pruning may be necessary for the health and structure of your trees.
  • Host a planting day and plant your trees.