Orchards, Trees & Orchard Produce

Worcestershire

According to the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust ...
"... in Worcestershire, there are or have been, concentrations of orchards in the Teme Valley, a stronghold for cherries; in the Severn Vale and Vale of Evesham, for apples and around the Wyre Forest for plums and cherries. Pears are a particular Worcestershire speciality. Pershore - 'Pearshore' - was the heart of the pear country. Few pear orchards survive today, although pear trees remain widespread in hedgerows. Worcester City has had many cultural associations with fruit trees and orchards. The city crest itself incorporates three black pears. Historically the city has been important for this fruit and also the pearmain."

Worcestershire is perhaps most famous for its plums, Evesham Wonder, Pershore Yellow Egg and Purple Pershore and for its Black Worcester pear and perry pears. Worcester City Council (which has pears on its coat of arms, left) has given a Worcester Black Pear to each school for the children to plant. They have also made an ecological survey of all the orchards in the city which are in public ownership or which have access. Ring +44(0)1905 722500 for further information.

Worcestershire County Council have surveyed the traditional orchards in selected parishes in the county. They have also produced the following leaflets:

(1) Worcester Black Pear

"Large Worcester Black Pear trees are immediately recognisable at any time of the year as their shape is distinctive, with a relatively narrow shaped crown becoming proportionally more so as the tree increases in height. The bark has a characteristic fine pattern of squares. In spring the trees are covered with a cascade of white blossom. They are found scattered over the county in old orchards, hedgerows or gardens and were once a common sight throughout Worcestershire. They were frequently planted on the windward side of orchards or fields to provide shelter".

(2) Fruit Trees for Worcestershire

A scheme offering 7 varieties of locally distinctive varieties at £15.00 each to Worcestershire residents. Contact the Countryside Greenspace Team, Worcestershire County Council +44(0)1905 766491, for details.

The Story of Evesham's Orchards, an illustrated booklet, has been updated and reproduced by the Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust and Vale Landscape Heritage Trust. It is an account of the history of the Vale of Evesham's orchards and includes archive photos of orchards and orchard workers. Available from the Cleeve Prior Heritage Trust, Field Barn, Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior WR11 8JX.

Apple Day Events
Where to Get Help
Orchards and Community Orchards to visit
Where to buy apples and orchard produce
Dishes to look out for
Where to buy fruit trees
Some Worcestershire Fruit