Air views ‘show orchards neglect’

4 May 2011
Last updated at 23:24 ET

The number of traditional orchards in England have more than halved since 1950

Nearly half of England’s traditional orchards are in a neglected condition, a study of aerial photographs suggests.

Some 35,378 orchards – home to wide varieties of apples and pears, as well as wildlife – were identified by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

Researchers say 9% are in pristine condition, 46% were in a good state and 45% were in a poor condition.

The five-year project aims to map sites that are in decline to provide a basis for future work to protect them.

The trust said traditional orchards were increasingly at risk because of neglect, intensification of agriculture and pressure from land development.

Anita Burrough, orchard officer for the trust, said: “The mosaic of habitats that comprise a traditional orchard provide food and shelter for at least 1,800 species of wildlife, including the rare noble chafer beetle which relies on the decaying wood of old fruit trees.

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